Nueva Ecija started strong and went on to tally a wire-to-wire 65-57 victory over Davao Occidental on Wednesday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards erected a 43-24 halftime spread and repelled the Tigers' comeback attempts to notch their 18th win against two losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
JC Cullar presided over Nueva Ecija's spread-out offense with 10 points, followed by Robby Celiz with 9 points and 10 rebounds and Ed Daquioag with 9 points.
Davao, which slid to 15-8, got 13 points from Mark Tallo and 8 each from Chris Lalata and Dariel Bayla.
Earlier, the Bataan Risers trounced the Bicolandia Oragons, 108-91, to climb to 6-16.
Yves Sazon paced the Risers with 24 points and 4 rebounds, followed by Alex Ramos with 20 points and 8 rebounds, Edrian Ramirez with 16 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds, and Jeff Santos with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Bicolandia tumbled to 3-19 despite Shaquille Alanes' 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, lord Hower Casajeros' 17 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals, and Cyrus Jarell Llarenas' 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
The MPBL returns to the Cuneta Astrodome on Thursday with games pitting Marikina against Mindoro at 4 p.m., Negros against Manila at 6 p.m., and Muntinlupa against host Pasay at 8 p.m.
