The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards are ready to defend their crown as they aim to make history in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) by winning the first ever back-to-back championship trophy. The team lost only Hesed Gabo who was signed by the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA.
Despite the departure of Hesed Gabo, the Rice Vanguards had made key acquisitions to bolster its backcourt. It signed Harvey Pagsanjan from the UE Red Warriors but will not play as SGL player for Nueva Ecija before playing for EAC Generals. The team also signed prolific guards Joshua Fontanilla and Rich Guinitaran. Can the Rice Vanguards defend their crown?
Check out below the roster of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the 2023 MPBL Regular season.
NUEVA ECIJA RICE VANGUARDS LINEUP
2023 MPBL REGULAR SEASON
| Pos | Player | Height |
|---|---|---|
| G | John Raymundo | 5'10 |
| G | Jonathan Uyloan | 6'0 |
| F | JR Taganas | 6'3 |
| G | Hesed Gabo | 5'9 |
| John Arenas | ||
| F | Clark Derige | 6'3 |
| F | William McAloney Jr | 6'4 |
| F | Bobby Balucanag | 6'2 |
| G | Philip Manalang | 5'10 |
| F | John Paul Sarao | 6'3 |
| F | Stephen Siruma | 6'2 |
| C | Jay Collado | 6'4 |
| C | Michael Mabulac | 6'4 |
| G | Michael Juico | 6'0 |
| G | Byron Villarias | 6'0 |
| G | Renz Palma | 6'1 |
| G | Rich Guinitaran | 6'0 |
| G | Harvey Pagsanjan | 6'0 |
| G | Joshua Fontanilla | 5'11 |
| G | Chris Bitoon | 5'11 |
Head Coach: Jerson Cabiltes
The MPBL 2023 Regular Season will open on March 11, 2023 at the Quezon Convention Center. The opening ceremony will start at 4:00 PM while the opening game will commence at 06:00 PM featuring the Rizal Golden Coolers and Bataan Risers. The main game will feature the home team Quezon Huskers as they battle the Negros Muscovados which will likewise make its debut in the MPBL's regular season.
NUEVA ECIJA RICE VANGUARDS HISTORICAL LINEUP
| NUEVA ECIJA RICE VANGUARDS 2022 Regular Season |
|---|
| John Raymundo Jonathan Uyloan JR Taganas Hesed Gabo John Arenas Clark Derige William McAloney Jr Bobby Balucanag Philip Manalang John Paul Sarao Stephen Siruma Jay Collado Michael Mabulac Michael Juico Byron Villarias Coach: Jerson Cabiltes |
| NUEVA ECIJA RICE VANGUARDS 2021 Invitational Tournament (December 2021) |
|---|
| Bobby Balucanag Raphael Banal Kendrix Belgica Chris Bitoon Diego Dario Will Gozum Justin Gutang Michael Mabulac Renz Palma JP Sarao PJ Simon Roi Sumang Juan Salaveria Byron Villarias Coach: Giancarlo tan |
| NUEVA ECIJA RICE VANGUARDS MPBL LAKAN CUP (2019-2020) |
|---|
| JR Cawaling Marlon Monte Jerwin Gaco Adrian Celada JP Sarao Levi Dela Cruz Martin Gozum Christian Singson Andrey Armenion Gab Reyes Jerson Delfinado Pari Llagas Arden Guiyab Kenneth Acibar Jeoffrey Tadeo Norby Santos Kim Chua Dan Reducto Boyet Baustista Archie Cruz Coach: Eric Gascon |