Pangasinan stunned Nueva Ecija, 86-85, while San Juan subdued Pasay in double overtime, 94-89, on Wednesday in the opener of the North Division quarterfinals at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
The Heatwaves bunched 12 points bridging the first and second quarters to break free, 25-15, then fended off the Rice Vanguards’ final assault to close in on the semifinals.
The Knights blew a big lead in regulation but gained control with a closing nine-point run to stop the Voyagers.
Trailing, 74-82, with three minutes and 10 seconds to go, the Rice Vanguards bunched seven points to threaten at 81-82.
Veteran Vic Manuel responded with a one-handed turnaround jumper, and after Nueva Ecija’s Jaycee Marcelino and Pangasinan’s Hesed Gabo traded two free throws each, Nueva Ecija’s Will McAloney scored on a follow-up with 5.2 seconds left for the final tally.
Manuel wound up with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, Gabo added 12 points and five assists, while Ian Melencio scored 11 and made three assists.
McAloney had a double-double for Nueva Ecija, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Christian Manytay added 13 points, and Rob Celiz scored 10.
AC Soberano led San Juan with 24 points, all from rainbow territory, Orlan Wamar tallied 15 points, Arvin Gamboa and Dexter Maiquez had 12 points each, while Raul Soyud contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Pasay drew 20 points from Christian Fajarito, while Darrell Manliguez scored 16.