MANILA - The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards denied the All-Star Bacolod Ballers a giant slaying to begin their two-game home stand as the former prevailed, 81-74, in a Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League triple-overtime thriller that ended just past midnight on Tuesday at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City. Despite a solid defensive performance, Bacolod failed to close out Nueva Ecija, and the latter got its offensive game in the overtime sessions to take the road win. Entering the game averaging a league best 94.3 points, Nueva Ecija, playing without suspended coach Jerson Cabiltes, was held to just 49 points with 31.1 seconds left in regulation as Bacolod was on track of scoring a huge upset to the delight of its sold-out crowd. However, Alwyn Alday clipped Byron Villarias while taking a three-pointer, and the latter made all his three free throws to force the first overtime session. In the first overtime, the Rice Vanguards appeared to be pulling away after answering E
AICC Manila pose with their trophy after winning the FilBasket Subic Championship title at the expense of San Juan, 72-68, in Game 3 of their best-of-three finals Monday. (FilBasket Images) AICC Manila captured the inaugural FilBasket Subic Championship title Monday night after besting San Juan, 72
AICC Manila beat San Juan, 72-68, to rule the inaugural FilBasket Subic Championship on Monday night at the Subic gym. The Manila dribblers drew strength from Michael Mabulac, Chris Bitoon and Hesed Gabo to seal the crown in the deciding Game 3 of their best-of-three finals affair. Mabulac fired 18…