Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
League	Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Filbasket (formerly) Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 (formerly)
Founded	2019 (2019)
History	Nueva Ecija MiGuard (2019) Nueva Ecija ForestLake (2019) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (2019–2021, 2022–present) Nueva Ecija Capitals (2021–2022)
Arena	Nueva Ecija Coliseum
Location	Palayan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Team colors
Head coach	Jerson Cabiltes
Championships	2 Filbasket: 1 (2022 Summer) MPBL: 1 (2022)

The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards are a professional basketball team based in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), and formerly in the Filbasket under the name of Nueva Ecija Capitals, as well as the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3.

History

In May 2019, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards formally joined the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), becoming the first major professional basketball team based in the province since the Nueva Ecija Patriots of the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). During the middle part of 2019–20 MPBL season, the team tapped Charles Tiu as their head coach, replacing Alvin Grey.

In 2022, the Rice Vanguards won their first MPBL championship after winning the 2022 MPBL Finals against Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines, 3–1.

Current roster

Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From F 1 Uyloan, Jonathan 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1983–11–26 Golden West G 4 Costelo, Ryan 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) San Sebastian G/F 6 Dagangon, Gab 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 1992–09–07 UPHSD F/C 7 Magbuhos, Vince 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Adamson F 8 Celiz, Robby 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 1988–09–07 National-U G 10 Arenas, Don-Don (HG) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Gloria Lacson F/C 12 Bahio, JB 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) San Beda G 13 Mocon, Kenneth 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1993–10–13 San Beda F/C 14 McAloney, Will (FF) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 1993–09–01 San Carlos F 15 Balucanag, Bobby (HG) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) San Sebastian F 17 Duremdes, Andre 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) UST G 18 Wilson, John 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1987–01–18 José Rizal G/F 19 Calo, Emmanuel 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 1989–12–27 Visayas F/C 23 Collado, Jay 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) LSB G 24 Cullar, JC 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) St. Benilde G/F 25 Ayaay, Jesper 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Lyceum F 26 Robles, Billy 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1992–05–30 NIPSC G 27 Bitoon, Chris 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) St. Clare G 51 Villarias, Byron 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 1988–02–25 José Rizal F 77 Derige, Clark (HG) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 220 lb (100 kg) UE G – Daquioag, Ed 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1991–08–18 UST F – Javillonar, Jeff 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 1993–01–01 National-U F – Saldua, Chester 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 1994–05–19 Philippine Christian

Head coach Don Dulay Assistant coach(es) Rob Wainwright Matt Makalintal Arnold Oliveros Team manager Ivan Cuevas Legend (HG) Homegrown (FF) Filipino-foreigner (SGL) Special Guest Licensee (RS) Reserve player Injured Roster – via Genius Sports Updated as of: June 26, 2024

Head Coaches

• Eric Gascon (2019)
• Alvin Grey (2019)
• Charles Tiu (2019–2021)
• Carlo Tan (2021–2022)
• Jerson Cabiltes (2022–present)

MPBL records

Season	Conf.	Team name	Elimination round					Playoffs
			Division	Finish	W	L	PCT	Stage	Results
2019–20	Lakan Cup	Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards	Northern	11th/16	10	20	.333	Did not qualify
2022	Invitational		Group C	1st/5	4	0	1.000	Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals	won vs. Iloilo, 84–67 won vs. Imus, 82–76 lost vs. Basilan, 80–83 (OT)
	Mumbaki Cup		Northern	1st/11	21	0	1.000	First round Division Semifinals Division Finals National Finals	won vs. Marikina, 2–0 won vs. Pampanga, 2–0 won vs. San Juan, 2–1 won vs. Zamboanga, 3–1
2023	—			TBD/15	0	0	–	To be determined
Total elimination round					35	20	.636	1 semifinals appearances
Total playoffs					11	3	.786	1 finals appearance
Total franchise					46	23	.667	1 championships