Nueva Ecija repels Pasay to enter MPBL semis

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Nueva Ecija thwarted Pasay, 71-62, on Monday to barge into the semifinal round of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards again leaned on Chris Bitoon to subdue the Voyagers in the highly physical Game 2 of the best-of-three quarterfinal series.

Bitoon was the lone Rice Vanguard in twin digits with 16 points to earn his second-straight best player honors. He also provided the lift in Nueva Ecija's come-from-behind 85-81 victory in Game 1.

Nueva Ecija will tackle the winner between San Juan and Makati in another North Division playoffs encounter.

The Rice Vanguards led by as far as 35-17 late in the second quarter, but the Voyagers refused to surrender and waged repeated rallies.

The Voyagers came to within, 55-64, on a jumper by Alejandro Antonio Inigo with 3 minutes and 43 seconds to go, but couldn't sustain their charge as Nueva Ecija's Michael Mabulac and Michael Juico scored a basket each and Roi Sumang added a free throw against a lone charity by AJ Coronel.

With the tough defense employed by the Voyagers, the Rice Vanguards' total output was well below their season average of 86.5 points.

Juico wound up with nine points, followed by Sumang and Bryon Villarias with eight points each.

Pasay got 16 points and six rebounds from Bryan Wendel Hilario, 11 from Inigo and 10 points plus 12 rebounds from Dhon Reverente.

Nueva Ecija Coach Jerson Cabiltes expects all their playoff rivals to go hard on them and said they will be ready for the challenge.

The MPBL playoffs visits the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor on Tuesday with Batangas battling Imus at 6 p.m. and GenSan tackling Muntinlupa at 8 p.m.

Having won the openers, Batangas and GenSan will be aiming to advance to the semifinal round outright.