Nueva Ecija subdued Pasay, 81-72, on Tuesday in Game 1 of their quarterfinal playoff in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Sixth Season at the packed Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Led by Robby Celiz, the Rice Vanguards built a lead as large as 80-64 before cruising to a victory that put them on the verge of clinching a semifinal slot in the North Division.
Celiz posted 23 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks to earn the Daily Fantasy Best Player honors over JB Bahio, Emman Calo, and JC Cullar.
The 6-foot-5 Bahio contributed 11 points and 5 rebounds, Cullar added 10 points and 5 assists, and Calo also chipped in 10 points, including the Rice Vanguards’ last five points of the game.
Coached by Don Dulay, the Rice Vanguards avenged a narrow 65-64 defeat to the Pasay Voyagers in the round-robin elimination phase.
They will now aim to close out the best-of-three series at their home court, the Nueva Ecija Coliseum, on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Other Rice Vanguards who contributed were MJ Ayaay with 7 points, and Will McAloney and John Wilson with six points each.
Pasay was led by Laurenz Victoria with a game-high 24 points, Jasper Salenga with 16 points, and Warren Bonifacio, who finished with 9 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The MPBL Playoffs continue on Thursday at the Batangas City Coliseum, with games featuring Binan versus South Cotabato at 6 p.m. and Davao versus Batangas at 8 p.m.
