The Rizal Nationals won in their first game of the season after beating the Quezon City Rising Stars, 83-80, last Saturday in the National Basketball League (NBL) Season 2 at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Sports and Cultural Center.
Bjorn Casibang had 19 points and eight rebounds to lead the Nationals in their debut win in the amateur league for homegrown talents aired on Basketball TV and GMA News TV International.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Makers, meanwhile, won over reigning champion Parañaque Aces, 79-74, with Jerome Juanico scoring 22 points to lead his team to their first victory after two matches.
The Aces dropped to 3-2.
Over at the Hagonoy Sports Complex in Taguig last Sunday, the Imus Bandila maintained their unbeaten slate after defeating One Cainta Titan, 98-80.
Jepoy Sarao stepped up in the absence of top scorer Kim Cinco, scoring 17 points and hauling nine rebounds as Bandila raised their record to 2-0.
The Taguig Generals handed the Bulacan Starks their first loss after 95-69 win with Jonathan Lontoc finishing with 17 points to improve their record to 2-1 and share the same win-loss mark as the Starks.
