MPBL: Shorthanded Nueva Ecija still too much for Bicolandia

JP Maguliano stepped up big for undermanned Nueva Ecija. MPBL

By Dugout Philippines

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga--Even at half-strength, Nueva Ecija proved superior to Bicolandia in the MPBL Sixth Season on Thursday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.

Depleted by injuries and sickness to key players, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards used mostly their second and third stringers to trounce the Bicolandia Oragons, 76-65, and post their third straight win in as many starts in the elimination round of the 29-team tournament.

Michael Juico, serving as the leader of his younger teammates, led Nueva Ecija with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals as the Rice Vanguards surged ahead, 44-22, and never wavered.

JP Maguliano supported Juico with 9 points, followed by JB Bahio with 8 points plus 7 rebounds, and Mer Jesper Ayaay with 8 points and 5 rebounds.

Bicolandia, which suffered its sixth straight defeat, got 11 points and 14 rebounds from John Edcel Rojas, 11 points plus 7 rebounds from RJ Deles, and 10 points from Marvin Lee.

Nueva Ecija Coach Don Dulay missed the services of Will McAloney, Byron Villarias, Jonathan Uyloan, Billy Robles, Jay Collado, Eman Calo and Bobby Balucanag.

Among those given the chance to play for Nueva Ecija was Andre Duremdes, son of MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes. The younger Duremdes scored 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 9 minutes and 16 seconds of play.

Box Scores:

NUEVA ECIJA 76 - Juico 15, Maguilano 9, Bahio 8, Ayaay 8, Bitoon 6, Arenas 5, Mocon 5, Magbuhos 4, Costelo 3, Celiz 3, Cosejo 3, Cullar 3, Duremdes 2, Derige 2.

BICOL 65 - Deles 11, Rojas 11, Lee 10, Lao 9, Alanes 8, Llanera 7, Javier 4, Reyes 3, Casajeros 2, Valvez 0, Yu 0, Santos 0, Burgos 0, Manzanilla 0, Macaballug 0.

Quarterscores: 24-11, 37-21, 59-44, 76-65

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