ROB Celiz delivered when needed as the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards subdued the Pangasinan Heatwaves, 101-94, in overtime on Friday to extend their hot streak and keep the lead in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.

Showing why he’s a member of the MPBL second mythical five last year, Celiz poured nine points, including the game’s last six, in extra time to power the Rice Vanguards to their eighth straight win in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.

The Heatwaves, who trailed by 22 points, 29-51, early in the third quarter, rallied behind Vic Manuel, Hesed Gabo, Michael Mabulac and Ralph Robin, who hit a triple to forge overtime, 88-88, with 12 seconds left.

Celiz, however, heated up as the Heatwaves turned cold in the extra period and tumbled to 5-2 in the standings.

Compiling 19 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists, Celiz earned best player honors over Jaycee Marcelino, who pooled 16 points, 6 assists, 5 steals and 2 rebounds despite fouling out in the fourth quarter.

Other Rice Vanguards who shone for Coach Don Dulay were Christian Manaytay with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks; Jammer Jamito with 13 points and 3 rebounds; and Will McAloney, who also fouled out in the fourth period, with 10 points and 6 rebounds.

Manuel posted 27 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists; Gabo 21 points, 9 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals; and Mabulac 13 points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals for Pangasinan, being steered by former Nueva Ecija coach Jerson Cabiltes.

The Abra Weavers squandered a big lead and settled for a 76-72 victory over the Cebu Classic in the second game.

Way ahead, 70-55, midway through the fourth quarter, the Weavers needed to fend off the Cebuanos’ fiery rally presided over by Dennis Santos and Mark Meneses to tally their seventh win against a lone loss.

Dave Ildefonso powered Abra to a 7-1 card with 11 points, 14 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists, followed by Marwin Taywan with 11 points and 3 steals, and Encho Serrano with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

Centers Raven Gonzales and Alfred Batino provided support with 8 points and 9 rebounds each.

Cebu slipped to 3-5 despite Santos’ 17-point, 5-rebound and 2-block effort, Lean Vincent Charles Martel’s 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists, and Limuel Tampos’ 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Joseph Terso struck hard as Davao Occidental nipped Pasig, 79-78, in the overtime opener of another tripleheader.

The former National University Bulldog tied the count, 73-73, at the end of regulation play then scored all of Davao’s six points in extra time to lift the Tigers to a 2-1 slate.

Terso, whose layup capped an 8-point windup by the Tigers in the last 1:55 minutes, wound up with 19 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals to clinch best player honors over Jefferson Comia with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Other Tigers who delivered were Terrence Tumalip with 8 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals, and homegrown Jansher Salubre with 8 points and 4 rebounds.

Pasig, which wasted a 55-38 spread midway through the third period, suffered its second straight defeat after winning the first two.

The Pasiguenos had a chance to reverse the outcome, but veteran Chito Jaime’s 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left in the extension fell short.

Pasig drew 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists from Robbie Manalang, 11 points from Jacob Galicia and Mark Montuano, and 10 points from Jaime.

The MPBL proceeds to The Capital Arena with games pitting Quezon province against Manila at 4 p.m., Pasay against Batangas at 6 p.m., and Gensan against host Ilagan Isabela at 8 p.m.

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