After sweeping Group C, the Rice Vanguards reached the finals against Basilan Jumbo Plastic, but lost due to Philip Manalang's championship-winning buzzer beater in overtime, thus settling for the runner-up spot.

Competing as the Nueva Ecija Capitals, they finished the elimination round with a 10–1 record and made the finals against the San Juan Knights as the series went into three games.

The Capitals won the final game in overtime to clinch their first ever league championship, making way for a rivalry with the San Juan franchise.

Mabulac was declared an all-star together with Bobby Balucanag, while Gabo and McAloney were both part of the All-MPBL First Team that season.

The team then went on to win game 4 to bring Nueva Ecija and Central Luzon its first-ever MPBL championship.

[4] Despite Gabo moving to the Philippine Basketball Association, signing with the NLEX Road Warriors during the off-season, Nueva Ecija kept most of its key players for the 2023 season.

During which, Jerson Cabiltes parted ways with the franchise as he would later become the head coach of expansion side Pangasinan Heatwaves.

Both Nueva Ecija and the San Juan Knights have become constant contenders across the multiple leagues they have taken part in.