THE Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards thwarted the Pangasinan Heatwaves in a thriller, 82-72, to forge a sudden-death match in the 7^th Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) North Division Quarterfinal series on October 22, 2025 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

 

During the first period, the Heatwaves waxed hot from deep with five triples, charged up by three 3-point makes of Hesed Gabo to stage an early double-digit cushion, 27-17.

 

In the second frame, Pangasinan maintained its red-hot long-distance shooting with Vic Manuel’s three consecutive triples. In the following play, Ryan Costelo stepped up big from the bench and produced a 5-point spurt to lead Rice Vanguards’ offense. Nueva Ecija’s mainstay big, Will McAloney, picked up the slack underneath the rim and amassed four points and five boards to trim Pangasinan’s lead at halftime, 44-45.

 

Reeling off the third segment, Robbie Celiz got his groove back and chipped in five points to threaten. On the other hand, Manuel tried to make a push with his post hooks, but McAloney continued to feast in the restricted area and logged in six points to snatch the advantage, 65-64.

 

Rice Vanguards’ Billy Robles, Celiz, and McAloney took over in the fourth and scored a 20-point barrage to power Nueva Ecija’s scoring. The Heatwaves went on a scoring slump, only managing to carve up three field goals with 20% shooting.

 

The Pangasinan Heatwaves will brace off in a do-or-die match-up against the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards on October 25 at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum. (Kim Gealogo)