Nueva Ecija quashed Pasay’s final assault to secure a 75-72 victory in Game Two on Wednesday, setting up a semifinal showdown with Pampanga in the North Division of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Sixth Season at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
JC Cullar sealed the win by knocking down critical free throws with 5.6 seconds left, extending the lead to 75-70.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards repeated their 82-72 conquest of the Voyagers in Game One of the best-of-three quarterfinal series, keeping their hopes alive for regaining the MPBL crown they previously won in 2022.
Earlier, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns narrowly defeated the Abra Weavers, 66-65, completing a sweep of their series.
Will McAloney capped a 3-point play and added a free throw to give Nueva Ecija its largest lead of the game at 67-56 with 3 minutes and 49 seconds remaining.
Pasay clawed back, narrowing the gap to 71-67 through a triple by Jasper Salenga, along with four free throws each from Warren Bonifacio and Laurenz Victoria.
The Voyagers had a chance to come even closer, but Robby Celiz of the Rice Vanguards blocked Salenga’s layup attempt with just 15.8 seconds left.
Nueva Ecija’s McAloney finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while John Wilson edged him out for the Daily Fantasy best player honors with 14 points, including eight in the third quarter, and four rebounds.
JB Bahio contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, while Celiz recorded eight points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks for head coach Don Dulay.
Despite the victory, the Rice Vanguards struggled from beyond the arc, making only 3 of 24 attempts, while the Voyagers hit 7 of 27.
Dulay announced that he would give the Rice Vanguards a two-day break before resuming practice in preparation for their semifinal playoff matchup with the Giant Lanterns.
