MANILA, Philippines — Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines pulled away early then thwarted Nueva Ecija’s final rally to prevail, 88-80, Monday night and rule the 2023 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Tournament at the Lagao Gym in Barangay Lagao, General Santos City.
Working behind the troika of Dexter Maiquez, Judel Fuentes and Jaycee Marcelino, Zamboanga stormed ahead at 44-21 and was never headed despite Nueva Ecija’s all-out effort to tilt the balance in the second half.
The most the Rice Vanguards could do was trim the gap at 74-78 following a 10-point outburst capped by Jay Collado’s inside foray and a triple, with 3:06 left.
Zamboanga coach Vic Ycasiano sued for time and Marcelino restored order with a triple.
Michael Juico answered for Nueva Ecija with an undergoal stab, but Zamboanga sealed its revenge against last year’s MPBL Fourth Season champion with a seven-point run highlighted by Fuentes’ four charities.
It was Maiquez, however, who was named tournament MVP after compiling 29 points and seven rebounds.
Marcelino ended up with 18 points, Fuentes 16, Collado 12 and Joshua Fontanilla 10.
Zamboanga bagged the champion’s purse of P3 million given by OKBet while Nueva Ecija settled for P500,000 courtesy of MPBL Founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao.
“Suerte. (We’re lucky), “ said Ycasiano, who bared that he’s still looking for more players to beef up Zamboanga’s roster for the MPBL Fifth Season set to start March 11 in Lucena City, Quezon.