EIGHT wins and counting for the Nueva Ecija Capitals.

Michael Juico provided the spark as Nueva Ecija dominated RCP Shawarma Shack Demigods, 100-73, in the PSL President’s Cup at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Juico spearheaded a balanced scoring attack by the Capitals of businessman- sportsman Bong Cuevas and coach Jerson Cabiltes as he scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, in only 12 minutes of action.

Ralph Robin scored 12 points and Axel Doromal added 11 points for the Capitals, who also welcomed Hesed Gabo back to the line-up after his PBA stint.

“I’m just happy and grateful sa opportunity na binigay sa akin ng Nueva Ecija, lalo na kina Boss Bong (Cuevas), Ma’am Rianne, boss Ivan and Mayor Vianne,” said Gabo, who played a key role in Nueva Ecija’s MPBL championship in 2022 before jumping to NLEX in the PBA.

“Masaya ako na nakabalik ako dito sa team. All I can promise is now is to always give my best. Yun PBA experience ko sa practice and playing with those guys, malaking bagay yun,” added Gabo.

“Bago naman ako umakyat sa PBA, matagal kong kasama yung core ng team kaya talagang excited ako.”

Chris Bitoon, who was named as the “Best Player of the Game”, contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

The Capitals, also known as Rice Vanguards in Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), got eight and seven points from Roi Sumang and Byron Villarias.

Robby Celiz, JP Maguliano and Will Mcaloney added six points each.

Jay Collado, Harvey Pagsanjan, Michael Mabulac, and Kriss Gurtiza also played crucial roles in Nueva Ecija’s offensive efforts.

Cabiltes was pleased with the Capitals’ effort.

“Yun start namin medyo flat pero good thing yun second group namin medyo madiin yun depensa namin. That’s why we pull away and then na sustain naman ng third group, so all through out na-manage naman yun lead,”said coach Cabiltes

“It’s a very good addition. Talagang he’s my player before tska sa previous championships namin nanjan siya so welcome addition sa pagbabalik ni Hesed mas makakaganda sa team,”

Cabiltes welcomed Gabo back to Nueva Ecija’s roster.

Nueva Ecija dominated the rebounding department with 47 boards compared to RCP’s 27 and showcased superior ball movement with 31 assists, as opposed to RCP’s 21.

The Capitals maintained their lead until they built a 30-point advantage late in the fourth quarter with 1:26 remaining.

Joshua Montero led the scoring effort for RCP with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting and four assists in 26 minutes of action,.

Teytey Teodoro added 10 points and Paulo Hubalde chipped in with eight points, five assists and four rebounds.

The scores:

Nueva Ecija Capitals (100) – Juico 15, Robin 12, Doromal 11, Bitoon 10, Sumang 8, Villarias 7, Celiz 6, Maguliano 6, McAloney 6, Collado 5, Pagsanjan 4, Mabulac 4, Gabo 4, Gurtiza 2, Robles 0

RCP Shawarma Shack (73) – Montero 21, Teodoro 10, Hubalde 8, Baltazar 8, Mendoza 7, Carandang 6, Dada 3, Andales 3, Panlilio 3, Osicos 2, Dava 2.

Quarterscores: 28-18, 54-29, 76-54, 100-73.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya