IN a rematch of last year’s North finals title showdow, defending champion Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards face a similar 0-1 deficit against the San Juan Knights in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season playoffs at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.

And like last year, the Rice Vanguards of businessman-sportsman Bong Cuevas and coach Jerson Cabiltes are looking for a similar successful ending.

After dropping the opener of their best-of-three semifinal match to the Knights where they squandered as much as a 14-point lead last Friday, the Rice Vanguards gun a for a series-tying victory in Game 2.

The Knights had to overcome a daunting 14-point deficit in the third quarter and relied on the outstanding performances of Orlan Wamar to pull the rug from under the Rice Vanguards, 86-82.

In the previous year’s North Division finals, San Juan also managed to halt Nueva Ecija’s impressive 25-game winning streak by winning Game 1 79-72, but they subsequently lost the following two games, 89-83 and 84-68 to the Rice Vanguards.

The Rice Vanguards secured the division title and went on to defeat the South Division champions, Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines, in the National Finals.

Nueva Ecija hopes to do exactly the same, according to coach Cabiltes.

John Byron Villarias, Chris Bitoon, and William Mcaloney iare again expected to lead the Rice Vanguards.

In Game 1, Villarias led the way with 14 points, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and secured three rebounds.

Bitoon also contributed 14 points, hitting 4-of-8 from beyond the three-point line.

Mcaloney also made his presence known with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Roi Sumang added 10 points in just 18 minutes of action before sustaining an injury in the third period.

Cabiltes promised that his team, with an abundance of experience and composure, is determined to stage a comeback in the series.

“Pinahaba lang natin itong series. Babawian natin sila.” said Cabiltes on the eve of the must-win-encounter.