Game  today: (RTU  gym)

7 p.m. -- RTU vs. Logohu


MULTI-titled Wang’s Ballclub  staved  off  repeated rallies  by CUSA  heavyweight Manuel Luis  Quezon University to  hammer  out  a 113-102 win  and keep  its hopes alive in the 2011 MBL Open basketball championship at the RTU gym in  Mandaluyong City.

Former  MLQU standout  Mario Reyes  and Fil-Am Anthony  Cuevas provided the 1-2  punch for  the Pablo  Lucas-mentored Wang’s, which closed out  with  an 8-2 run to  finally shake  off  MLQU and  clinch  its third win in five  matches in this eight-team tournament supported  by Smart Sports, Dickies Underwear,  Big Banners Tarpaulin, WG Diner and PRC Couriers.

Reyes punished with  his former team  with   near-impeccable  outside shooting that included  five three-point shots, while Cuevas  bullied  his way against his younger  and smaller defenders   to lead the  short-handed  Mandaluyong-based team  of businessman-sportsman Alex Wang to  victory.

Reyes  hit  his  first  three  three-point shots in  the first quarter and finished  with 23 points, while Cuevas added 19  points and 11 rebounds   despite  being  thrown out of  the  match  for a  flagrant foul.

Veterans Biboy Simon, Raymond  Maconocido and  Ryan Regalado   also  finished   in  double  figures  for  Wang’s, which  played  minus  ex-PBA player  Jonathan Aldave, American missionary Joshua  Manthe  and  former Adamson star JV Orera.

Former PBL  player  Jopher Custodio led the  Stallions with 17 points, followed by Jack Manalansan  and Andreo  Mendoza with 15 points each, Alvin Vitug and Simon Lazo with 14 points   apiece and Charles Parapa with 10 points.

MLQU, which is being handled  by coach Sherman Crisostomo and manager Vicky Chan,   dropped to 1-4.

Tournament director Albert Andaya said the top two teams after the elimination round will advance to the  semis  outright with twice-to-beat advantages.

Commissioner is Loreto “Ato” Tolentino.


The scores

Wang’s (113) -- Reyes 22, Cuevas 19, Simon 15, Maconocido 15, Regalado 13, Pinera 8, Maurillo 7, Araman 6, Litonjua 4, Diaz 2,Lingao-Lingao 2.

MLQU (102) --Custodio 17, Manalansan 15, Mendoza 15, Lazo 14, Vitug 14, Parapa 10, Sumayang 9, Lee 4, Celso 4, Urbano 0, Bugarin 0, Domines 0.

Quarterscores:   22-24, 48-46, 78-67, 113-102.