MPBL: Bataan shocks Binan; Nueva Ecija, Batangas rout opponents

MANILA, Philippines — Bataan stunned Binan, 73-62, while Nueva Ecija and Batangas cruised to victories on Tuesday in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.

The Bataan Risers thus raised their record to 8-14 and remain in contention for a playoff spot in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija routed Pasig, 91-67, in the opener; while Batangas battered slumping Muntinlupa, 89-68, in the second game.

Already assured of a playoff spot, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards climbed to 20-1 and shared the lead with fellow North Division powerhouses San Juan and Abra.

Hubert Cani drilled in a triple and a fallaway, while Laurenz Capulong drove in from the side to seal Bataan's win, 71-62, with 33.4 seconds left.

The 5-foot-11 Cani, a former Far Eastern University Tamaraw, posted 13 points and three rebounds and was chosen as the game's Best Player over Yves Sazon, with 14 points and four rebounds; Capulong with 12 points, nine rebounds and two assists; and Mitchelle Maynes with 11 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Binan saw its four-game run broken and dropped to 13-8 despite Kenny Roger Rocaurva's 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists; Marc Pingris' 10 points plus nine rebounds; and Warren Bonifacio's eight points plus nine rebounds.

With five players contributing twin digits, the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters surged ahead, 80-51, en route to a 13-8 slate.

Levi Hernandez led Batangas with 16 points, five assists and four rebounds; followed by John Ambulodto with 12 points and six rebounds; Philip Paniamogan with 11 points, five rebounds and four assists; Jhong Baloria with 11 points, four rebounds and two assists; and Dawn Ochea with 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Muntinlupa tasted its ninth straight defeat and tumbled to 10-11 as only Gryann Mendoza and Miggy Corteza struck back with 13 and 10 points, respectively. 

Twins Jayvee and Jaycee Marcelino presided over the Nueva Ecija offense alongside Jesper Ayaay and Billy Robles.

Jayvee Marcelino posted 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals; while Jaycee, the 2022 MPBL Most Valuable Player, tallied 10 points, six rebounds, five steals and three assists.

Ayaay contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Robles chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

The Rice Vanguards dominated the boards, 66-38, and exploited this edge to score more points in the paint, 62-28, particularly on second chances, 32-10.

Pasig dropped to 8-13 as only six players, led by Jerome Garcia, scored. Garcia finished with 18 points, three rebounds and two assists; Warlo Batac chalked up 15 points, six rebounds and five assists; Mark Montuano netted 12 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists; and Chito Jaime 10 points plus 10 rebounds.

The MPBL returns to the Cuneta Astrodome on Thursday, with games pitting Paranaque against Pangasinan at 4 p.m., Cebu against Marikina at 6 p.m., and host Pasay against Quezon City at 8 p.m.