DEFENDING champion FEU-NRMF-Gerry’s Grill and Philippine Christian University lived up to their high billing and hammered out similar impressive victories in the 2017 MBL Open basketball championship at the EAC Sports Center in Ermita, Manila.
FEU-NRMF overwhelmed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 114-77, in a rematch of last year’s title showdown to extend its winning streak to three games.
Equally impressive was PCU, which toppled newly-crowned UNTV Season 5 champion Philippine National Police, 85-64, in the battle of debuting teams in the event sponsored by Smart Sports, Ironcon Builders, Star Bread, Dickies Underwear and Gerry’s Grill.
Raniel Jake Diwa scattered 25 points to lead a balanced scoring attack by the Fairview, Quezon City-based Tamaraws, who led from start to finish in beating the Generals.
Dexter Zamora, Glenn Gravengard, Erwin Sta. Maria, Jerwin Gaco and import Moustapha Arafat also produced big numbers in FEU’s biggest winning margin.
Zamora added 17 points and Fil-German Gravengard contributed 14 points for the Tamaraws of manager Nino Reyes and coach Pido Jarencio.
Jethro Mendoza finished with 15 points for the Generals, who are competing as part of their pre-season buildup for the coming NCAA.
PCU rode on the troika of former MBL MVP Jon Von Tambeling, Yves Sazon and Michael Ayonayon to outgun PNP.
Tambeling and Sazon scored 18 points apiece while Ayonayon added 15 for the Dolphins, who are seeking another major title under PCU president Dr. Junifen Gauuan, ISPEAC head Dr. Putli Martha Ijiran and the father and son tandem of coach Ato and Elvis Tolentino.
Tambeling made his first four shots to set the theme for the Dolphins’ strong start.
Former University of the East star Olan Omiping carried the fight for the Responders with 23 markers.
PNP is making its first appearance since winning the title in UNTV Season 5 against the Malacanang Kamao last month.
The scores:
First game
FEU-NRMF-Gerry’s Grill (114)— Diwa 25, Zamora 17, Gravengard 14, Sta Maria 13, Gaco 9, Arafat 9, A.Santos 8, Gumabay 7, Asoro 4, C.Santos 4, Crellin 2, Raymundo 2, Tan 0.
EAC (77)—Mendoza 15, Diego 11, Laminou 10, Altiche 10, Gonzales 8, Aguas 6, Gano 5, Robin 3, Umali 2, Natividad 2, Martin 2, Rosales 2, Tadua 1.
Quarterscores: 24-13, 54-37, 80-61, 114-77.
Second game
PCU (85)—Tambeling 18, Sazon 18, Ayonayon 15, Mescallado 12, Pallatao 8, Sumalacay 5, Camaya 2, Bautista 2, Vasquez 2, Galit 2, Catipay 1, Malto 0, Ordonez 0, Manalo 0, Abrigo 0.
PNP (64)—Omiping 23, Tolentino 9, Ongutan 8, Cabahug 7, Bayabao 5, VeraCruz 4, Sta. Cruz 3, Misola 3, Zules 2, Dia 0, Alejandro 0.
Quarterscores: 19-5, 52-30, 74-44, 85-64
