The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards relied on the dominant inside presence of William McAloney to defeat the Pangasinan Heatwaves in overtime, 99-93, in the 2024 MPBL season in a game that ended close to Sunday midnight at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum.
The Cebuano center finished with 29 points to go with nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals as the Rice Vanguards prevailed over their former head coach, Jerson Cabiltes, who is now handling the Heatwaves.
“Hindi ko naman tinitignan kung ilang points ‘yung nagawa ko, basta ang mahalaga sa akin is ‘yung maka contribute ako sa panalo ng team,” McAloney said in a post-game interview.
Mer Jesper Ayaay added 18 markers, six rebounds, and three assists; Robby Celiz and Billy Ray Robles contributed 13 points apiece; and John Wilson contributed 10 points for Nueva Ecija, which now has a 17-2 win-loss slate.
After failing to close out the Heatwaves in regulation, the Rice Vanguards opened the overtime period with two inside conversions from McAloney to take an 86-83 advantage.
Pangasinan managed to tie the score for the last time at 86-all, but Nueva Ecija pulled away at 91-86 on back-to-back hits from Robles and Celiz before McAloney sealed the win with free throws.
Michael Juico top-scored for Pangasinan with 20 points; Hesed Gabo added 13 markers; and Michael Mabulac ended with 11 points. They dropped to an 8-14 win-loss card.
The Nueva Ecija-Pangasinan game was delayed for almost two hours due to a power outage at the venue.
The post William McAloney shines as Nueva Ecija edges Pangasinan in OT first appeared on Fastbreak.
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