PALAYAN CITY — One down, one to go for the defending champions Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards.

Chris Bitoon, Michael Mabulac, and Renz Palma combined for 48 points as Nueva Ecija rallied from a double-digit deficit to roll back Pasay Voyagers, 85-81, and move within a win of advancing to the semifinal round of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum here Monday.

Bitoon finished with 18 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including 10 in the fourth quarter, aside from four assists and three steals in 22 minutes of action.

Mabulac had a monster game with 16 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while Palma added 14 points and four rebounds for the Jerson Cabiltes-mentored Rice Vanguards, who need only to win over the Voyagers in Game 2 of their scheduled best-of-three quarterfinal series on Oct. 16 at the Makati Coliseum.

John Bryon Villarias chipped in 10 points for Nueva Ecija, which trailed by as many as 44-59 before charging back to the delight of another wildly-cheering home crowd.

Impressive as it was, Cabiltes reminded his players to keep their focus and continue to play hard.

“We need to play much harder, we need to play aggressive defense and we need to move the ball and execute our offense,” said Cabiltes, who is hoping to lead the Rice Vanguards to back-to-back championships,

“Our execution in the first half going to the third quarter was a bit flat and bad. It’s good we adjusted well and played tough defense in the latter part of the third going to the fourth quarter.” added Cabiltes.

“Actually, I talked to the players at halftime. I told them we’re not executing well so I challenge our point guard to execute our plays. I challenged our big men, I challenged our shooters kasi I noticed we’re taking quick shots which is not in our usual flow of offense. Kaya tuloy dumikit lumamang pa ang kalaban sa third. Good thing for us we adjusted well and we played hard defense all throughout.”

Bitoon, who was named as the “Best Player of the Game”, agreed.

“Yun nga nagalit si coach sa dugout dahil hindi namin sinunod yun sistema, lalo na mga point guards hindi nag-e-execute ng play. Kaya nag-usap usap kami para ma-execute namin yun tamang play at ma-open yun mga shooters namin,” explained Bitoon.

Dhon Reverente led the losing effort for the Voyagers with a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Brian Hilario and Elvin Chan contributed 15 points each.

The scores:

Nueva Ecija (85) – Bitoon 18, Mabulac 16, Palma 14, Villarias 10, Collado 8, Uyloan 4, Fontanilla 4, Sumang 4, Mcaloney 3, Taganas 2, Balucanag 1, Siruma 1, Raymundo 0, Pagsanjan 0
Pasay (81) – Reverente 20, Chan 15, Hilario 15, Serrano 9, Victoria 8, Diputado 4, Coronel 4, Gomez 2, Aguirre 2, Bienes 2, Inigo 0, Sienes 0, Carlos 0
Quarterscores: 21-17, 40-40, 61-62, 85-81