Nueva Ecija, San Juan battle for MPBL North crown

MANILA, Philippines – Nueva Ecija and San Juan dispute the North Division of the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season Presented by Xtreme on Friday at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.

The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards subdued the San Juan Knights, 89-83, in overtime on Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena to level their title series at 1-1 and force the Game Three decider at their home court.

The Knights stunned the Rice Vanguards, 79-72, in the series opener on November 18 to stop Nueva Ecija's 25-win run.

Nueva Ecija, however, exacted revenge and will reassume the favorite's role in the game set at 5:30 p.m.

Novo Ecijanos are again expected to come in droves to support the Rice Vanguards, who swept the round-robin eliminations before ousting the Marikina Shoemasters and the Pampanga Giant Lanterns by similar 2-0 scores in the quarterfinals and the semifinals, respectively.

Nueva Ecija Coach Jerson Cabiltes has the deeper roster to choose from as San Juan Coach Randy Alcantara can depend on 10 players, led by Judel Fuentes, at the most.

John Bryan Villarias, Michael Mabulac, Michael Juico, Will McAloney and Renz Palma are expected to put up better numbers on Monday as it was burly JR Taganas and playmaker Hesed Gabo who powered Nueva Ecija to victory in Game Two.

Taganas tallied 19 points and 15 rebounds to compensate for the subpar performances of Mabulac, who was held to nine points and three rebounds and Will McAloney, six points and two rebounds, at the slot. Gabo, on the other hand, posted 18 points, three assists and two steals.

Fuentes knocked in 27 points for San Juan in Game Two, followed by Marwin Taywan with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists, Michael Calisaan with 10 points and five rebounds, Dexter Maiquez (seven points, 10 rebounds) and Orlan Wamar (seven points, five assists).