COLEGIO de San Lorenzo-V Hotel made it four wins in a row by beating Philippine Christian University, 77-71, even as Diliman College-JPA Freight Logistics survived a scare by nipping Philippine National Police, 67-66, in the 2017 MBL Open basketball tournament at the PNP Sports Center in Camp Crame.
The Blue Griffins finished off the Dolphins behind the brilliant court generalship of Dominic Formento and defensive efforts of import Soulemane Chabi Yo during their tensely-fought encounter.
Formento finished with 14 points, including four three-point shots for the Griffins of CdSL president Monneth Balgan, manager Jimi Lim and coach Boni Garcia.
Chabi Yo, the 6’6” standout from Benin, Africa, added 12 points, while providing a dominating presence inside the shaded area in the tournament sponsored by Smart Sports, Starbread, Dickies Underwear, Ironcon Builders and Gerry’s Grill.
Chino Maravilla contributed 12 points and James Castanares had 10 points for CdSL, which also won over Emilio Aguinaldo College, MLQU-Victoria Sports and Wang’s Ballclub-Asia Tech.
Mike Ayonayon and Von Tambeling, finished with 20 and 17 points, respectively, for the Elvis Tolentino-mentored Dolphins, who suffered their first setback in three games.
Yves Sazon added 15.
Diliman-JPA leaned on the powerful inside game of African reinforcement Alex Diakhite to escape with its second straight win against PNP.
But the Blue Dragons of former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, businessman Jerry Alday and coach Rensy Bajar dodged a bullet from the Responders when Cyril Santiago missed a potential game-winning jumper as time expired.
Diakhite finished with 26 points, including 12 in the final quarter.
Julius Criste scattered 20 points and Ollan Omiping added 12 points for PNP of Director Gen. Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa, PCRG head Gen. Gilberto Cruz, and Col. Jerome Balbontin.
The scores:
First game
Diliman-JPA (67)—Diakhite 26, Gerero 9, Angeles 9, Bauzon 8, Salazar 4, Ligon 4, De Guzman 3, Onggulo 2, Brutas 2.
PNP (66)—Criste 20, Omiping 12, Tolentino 11, Bayabao 5, Sta. Cruz 5, Ongutan 5, Cabahug 3, Abaya 2, Santiago 2, Cabrera 1, Elopre 0.
Quarterscores: 20-4, 29-19, 48-49, 67-66.
Second game
CdSL- V Hotel (77)—Formento 14, Chabi Yo 12, Maravilla 12, Castanares 11, Callano 9, Rosas 9, Vargas 8, Astero 2, Alvarado 0, Laman 0.
PCU (71)—Ayonayon 20, Tambeling 17, Sazon 15, Catipay 6, Mascallado 5, Malto 4, Camaya 2, Palattao 2, Bautista 0, Sumalacay 0, Vasquez 0, Castro 0.
Quarterscores: 16-11, 37-30, 58-50, 77-71.
Games Tuesday:
(FEU-NRMF gym)
6 p.m. • MLQU-Victoria vs. PCU
7:30 p.m. • FEU-NRMF vs. PNP