NUEVA Ecija and Biñan took different routes toward the top spot while Pampanga stayed right behind in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards clobbered the Imus Agimat VA Drones, 105-74, while Binan GameX subdued Valenzuela Classics, 88-77, to extend their winning streak to four in as many starts in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.

The defending champion Pampanga Giant Lanterns sustained their recovery with an 83-62 drubbing of the Muntinlupa Cagers in the nightcap.

Powered by reigning MVP Justine Baltazar and homegrown icon MJ Garcia, Pampanga pulled away at 65-44 and kept the distance till the end for its fifth straight victory after an initial loss.

Baltazar posted 15 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steaks, while Garcia, given extra minutes in the absence of the injured Encho Serrano, tallied 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Other Giant Lanterns who shone were Kurt Reyson, who chalked 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, Archie Concepcion with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and Jhaymo Eguilos with 9 points and 9 rebounds.

Muntinlupa, which dropped to the cellar at 0-6, got 14 points and 7 rebounds from Joshua Guiab and 11 points from Rocky Acidre.

With the majority of their starters recovered from illnesses and injuries, the Rice Vanguards led by as far as 79-32 as they flashed the fiery form that gave them the national title in 2022.

Billy Robles paced Nueva Ecija with 16 points and 6 rebounds, followed by John Paul Maguilano with 14 points, Robby Celiz with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Chris Bitoon with 10 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.

Imus tumbled to 0-6 despite the 22-point, 8-rebound output of John Rey Sumido and the 16-point, 11-rebound effort of Luis Tapenio.

Homegrown Michael Maestre powered Binan, which surged beyond reach at 84-69, with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Nino Canaleta supported him with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists and so did Kenny Roger Rocacurva with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Valenzuela, which fell to 4-3, got 15 points each from Chris De Chavez and Fil-Am CJ Payawal and 11 each from Michael Macion and Orin Catacutan.

The MPBL goes to the Cuneta Astrodome with a triple bill featuring Batangas against Negros at 4 p.m., Bulacan against South Cotabato at 6 p.m. and Pasay against Rial at 8 p.m.

The scores:

First game

Nueva Ecija (105)— Robles 16, Maguilano 14, Celiz 10, Bitoon 10, Costelo 9, Cosejo 7, Cullar 7, Uyloan 6, Derige 6, Bahio 5, Calo 5, McAloney 4, Ayaay 4, Arenas 2, Balucanag 0.
Imus (74) — Sumido 22, Tapenio 16, Camacho 10, Luengo 6, Kadir 5, Enriquez 4, Pendatun 3, Estabillo 2, Nicodemus 2, Austria 2, Popovic 2, Aniban 0, Steinl 0, Malimban 0, Gonzles 0.
Quarterscores: – 24-21, 59-30, 81-50, 105-74.

Second game

Biñan (88) – Maestre 22, Canaleta 14, Rocacurva 11, Actub 8, Hallare 6, Raymundo 5, Manalang 5, Gimpayan 5, Baetiong 4, Alonte 3, Penaredondo 2, Pido 2, Estrada 1, Anonuevo 0, Alabanza 0.
Valenzuela (77) – De Chavez 15, Payawal 15, Macion 10, Catacutan 10, Manliguez 7, Santos 6, Lepalam 6, Trazona 4, Armenion 2, Boliver 2, Velasco 0, Hiro 0, Dela Cruz 0, Gotladera 0, Diego 0.
Quarterscores: – 20-21, 43-34, 62-59, 88-77

Third game

Pampanga (8) — M.Garcia 15, Baltazar 15, Conception 10, Reyson 10, Eguilos 9, Viernes 6, Alcoriza 5, Corteza 4, R.Santos 4, K.Santos 3, P.Garcia 2, Gob 0, Gozum 0, De Leon 0, Binuya 0,
Muntinlupa (62) — Guiab 14, Acidre 11, Cuevas 8, Longalong 7, Bongay 5, De Leon 4, Capacio 4, Moralde 3, Marcos 2, Batac 2, Buenaflor 2, Cabeguin 0, Magbuhos 0, Sombero 0, Arenal 0.
Quarterscores: – 25-16, 45-30, 65-44, 83-62.