Just a month before the 2024 MPBL season begins, Jerson Cabiltes and Nueva Ecija have ended their long partnership.
Cabiltes has parted ways with the Rice Vanguards after spending the last two years there.
The youthful head coach confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times.
In effect, Cabiltes will also no longer coach the Capitals in the Pilipinas Super League.
It was a tough decision for both camps to go their separate ways as the partnership bore fruit with championships.
In his two-year stay with the Cuevas family-owned team, he steered Nueva Ecija to two Filbasket championships and the 2022 MPBL title.
The partnership also led sports patron Bong Cuevas to support the Emilio Aguinaldo College basketball program.
Last season, Nueva Ecija was eliminated in the division semifinals by San Juan, 2-0.
To bounce back, the Rice Vanguards retooled, tapping younger players for the upcoming MPBL season.
The team, known as the Capitals in the PSL, is currently 15-1 in the President’s Cup.
Set to take over the Nueva Ecija program is former Davao Occidental head coach Don Dulay.
Meanwhile, Cabiltes, a six-time champion, will go back to his roots for the new main backer of the Generals, who finished with a remarkable 9-9 slate last season in the NCAA.
