Games  today: (Lyceum  gym)

7 p.m. -- Letran vs. MOB
8:30 p.m. -- Investwell vs. Lyceum


LETRAN  College  tries  to solidify its chances for a semifinals berth  when  it meets MOB Packers in the  MBL Invitional basketball championship at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros, Manila.

The Knights, who are seeking another title under multi-awarded coach Louie Alas, are slightly favored   to beat over MOB in the  7 p.m. encounter in this 10-team tournament sponsored by  Smart Sports, Cebuana Lhuillier, Dickies Underwear, PRC Couriers and  Parola Maritime..

Bannered  by the  high-scoring Kevin Alas,  Jam Cortez, Jonathan   Belorio,  Mark Cruz and Raymund Almazan. the Knights  are in strong  third place behind defending champion University of Santo Tomas-Ironcon Builders (6-0)  and Jose Rizal University (6-1).

Investwell   (2-6) and   Lyceum  of  the  Philippines-Yummy  Hotdogs  (1-6) clash  in  the  second game at 8:30 p.m.

Handled  by  coach  Joel  Jabar,

Investwell  will lean anew  on Floyd  Dedicatoria, Mark Pangilinan,  Ryeon   Delostrinos, Ryan Dela Cruz, Kevin Rabalo and Ram  Macasaet  in its bid to end a six-game losing skid.

Lyceum-Yummy, on the  other  hand,  is  hoping  to improve its 1-6  record.

The Bonnie Tan-mentored Pirates  will rely  on  Chris Cayabyab,  Rich  Guevarra,  Fritz Gerald Ong,  Shane Kho and  Mark  Fampulme.

Tournament  format  is single-round elimination with the top four  teams  advancing  to the semis outright.

The No. 1 team will  then  meet the No. 4 squad and the No. 2 team will battle the No. 3 squad in  a pair of  knockout matches.

The  winners  will dispute the title in a winner-take-all match.