Since the start of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's (MPBL) professional era, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards and Pampanga Giant Lanterns have become two of the most successful teams in the regional league. Since 2022, the two Central Luzon-based teams have been consistent contenders in not just the North Division, but also the league in general. As of 2024, they have won every North Division championship and league championship in the professional era.
The two teams met in the playoffs twice, both sweeps, with Nueva Ecija winning in 2022 and Pampanga winning in 2024. Pampanga currently lead the all-time series, 5–4.
History
2022: Nueva Ecija sweeps the season series
The first meeting between both teams in the professional era was on September 23, 2022 at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan. Hesed Gabo and Michael Mabulac combined for 33 points as the Rice Vanguards defeated Archie Concepcion and the Giant Lanterns for their antepenultimate win of its regular season sweep.[1] The first playoff meeting between the two teams then occurred on November 7 during the 2022 MPBL North Division semifinals. The Nueva Ecija won that game and later swept the series on November 11, completing a 3–0 season sweep against Pampanga.[2] Nueva Ecija then went on to defeat the San Juan Knights in the division finals before clinching the championship against the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines in the national finals.[3][4]
2023–2024: Baltazar arrives in San Fernando, Giant Lanterns shift the series
The additions of Justine Baltazar and Encho Serrano to the Pampanga roster brought in a new contender to the North Division for the 2023 season.[5] On July 1, 2023, Pampanga earned their first victory against Nueva Ecija since 2020 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga. The following season, the two teams faced off in the playoffs for the second time. This time around, it was Pampanga that survived, recording a series sweep of their own against Nueva Ecija. Both playoff games were separated by three points, the latter of which went to overtime.[6] Pampanga would eventually accomplish back-to-back championships after defeating San Juan in the division finals and the Quezon Huskers in the national finals.[7][8]
2025–present: Baltazar departs, Marcelinos move to Palayan
The 2025 season saw notable changes in both teams' rosters. Most notably, the departure of Baltazar from Pampanga to join the Converge FiberXers in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), and the arrival of the Marcelino twins, Jaycee and Jayvee, from Zamboanga to Nueva Ecija, joining their 2022 finals rivals.[9]
