Vanguards repel Knights to extend run

MANILA, Philippines — The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards woke up in time to frustrate the San Juan Knights, 81-75, last Tuesday and keep a clean slate in the OKbet-MPBL 4th Season presented by Xtreme at the packed Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.

The other games saw Muntinlupa blow a 23-point lead and settle for a 65-64 squeaker over Bacoor, and Quezon City MG Cars trounce Mindoro, 88-83.

The Rice Vanguards played catch up then dropped 13 points while holding the Knights to a triple in the last four minutes to steal their second home victory and climb to 8-0 in the overall standings of the 22-team, two-division tournament.

Hesed Gabo poured six of his 16 points, Will McAloney added four of his game-high 24 while Jay Collado canned a triple in that span to save the game for Nueva Ecija, which was tested to the hilt by San Juan after seven breezy victories.

Showing they are still a force to reckon with, the 2019 MPBL Datu Cup champion Knights took away the Rice Vanguards’ run-and-gun game to lead by as many as 14 points, 52-38, in the third quarter and 68-72, with 4:08 to go.

Nueva Ecija’s rousing comeback spoiled Justin Gutang’s last performance for San Juan this season.

Gutang, who accounted for 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, will leave soon to join Changwon LG in the Korean Basketball League.