Powerhouse Nueva Ecija moved on the verge of a historic sweep following a 77-66 win over Pasig in the OKbet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 4th Season late Wednesday at the Laguna Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz City.
Michael Mabulac and Michael Juico led the charge, helping the Rice Vanguards pull away, 59-46, en route to their 19th win in the single round elimination phase of this 22-team tournament.
The Rice Vanguards will seek to complete the sweep when they face Batangas City next Friday.
Mabulac fires 18 points, four rebounds and four assists while Juico chipped in 15 points, seven assists and four rebounds for the Rice Vanguards, who dealt the Realtors their sixth loss in 19 matches.
Actually, Nueva Ecija started cold, allowing Pasig to take control, 25-17, before shifting to high gear with its running game to tally 19 points against only three for Pasig, which drew 15 points from Ryan Paule Costelo, 12 from Robbie Manalang and 10 from Carlo Lastimosa.
Meanwhile, Zamboanga dumped Quezon City, 96-71m while Muntinlupa trounced Laguna, 82-67.
Jayvee Marcelino bannered Zamboanga’s oozing fourth-quarter rally to crush the morale of Quezon City, 85-58, and seal its 15th win in 18 matches.
Marcelino finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists to complement the 18-point effort by his twin brother Jayvee Marcelino.
Also bannering Zamboanga were Reden Celda, Chris Dumapig and Chito Jaime.
Celda registered 12 points and three rebounds while Dumapig fired 11 points and eight rebounds and Jaime tallied 10 points and five rebounds to push Laguna to their 15th setback in 18 games.
