Games Tuesday (Lyceum gym)

7 p.m -- . Lyceum-Yummy vs Mapua-Mighty Sports
8:30    MOB Packers vs. Skyforce


JOSE Rizal University celebrated the birthday of its head coach Vergel Meneses with a thrilling 96-93 win over Wang’s Ballclub in the MBL Invitational Cup basketball championship at the JRU gym in Shaw Blvd. , Mandlauyong City.

Fil-Am Nate Mature played another solid game  with 25 points, including seven three-point shots,  to lead he Heavy Bombers to  their fifth straight win in this prestigious, 10-team tournament sponsored by Smart Sports, Cebuana Lhuillier, Dickies Underwear, PRC Couriers and Parola Maritime.

Derico Lopez, Philip Paniamogan and Alex Almario also score dindouble figures for the Heavy Bombers, who remained as one of only two unbeaten teams in the tournament.

The other unbeaten team is University of Santo Tomas-Ironcon Builders, which is 4-0, with a game also against Wang’s coming up on Wednesday.

“We talked about it before the game. We want to start the new year with another win and the boys did just that,” said Meneses, known as the PBA’s ‘Aerial Voyager’ who celebrated his birthday with close friends and supporters after the game.

“But we’re taking it one game at a time,” added Meneses, who is being supported by the JRU management, led by athletic director Paul Supan and alumni Cora Rodrigo and Jimmy Santos.

Lopez added 22 points, Paniamogan had 15 points and Almario had 10.

Mark Anthony Cuevas carried the fight for Wang’s with 20 points, followed by Jonathan PInera and MU Magbanua qwith 17 pints paiece and Ramon Litonjua with 11.

The game was tight right  from the start with Matute and Almario  delivering from outside for JRU and Cuevas and Pinera making their presence felt  inside for Wang’s

The Heavy Bombers took charge in the second period with Mature and Almario hitting two triples each  for  a 54-46 lead at halftime.

Wang’s, however, kept the game close behind the power plays of Cuevas and Pinera.

Cuevas himself had a chance to tie the score but could only split his free throws for 93-94 with only 35 seconds left

After a JRU turnover, Ryan Regalado missed a three-point try and Almario finalized the score with two more free throws. Litonjua’s desperation three-point heave failed to hit the ring as time expired.


The scores:

Jose Rizal (96) -- Matute 25, Lopez 22, Paniamogan 15, Almario 10, Carampil 9, Monserat 6, Mabulac 4, Dela Paz 3, Camasura 2, Mendoza 0, Rebugio 0.

Wang's (93) -- Cuevas 20, Pinera 17, Magbanua 17, D.Litonjua 11, Baltazar 7, R.Litonjua 5, Reyes 5, Regalado 3, Lingao-Lingao 2, Asoro 2, Orera 2, Mellejor 2, Bower 0, Salvado 0.

Quarterscores 26-26, 54-46, 75-71, 96-93