DEFENDING champion FEU-NRMF-Gerry’s Grill paraded another solid, all-around player in Fil-German Glenn Gravengard to turn back Victoria Sports-MLQU, 89-57, at the start of the 2017 MBL Open basketball championship at the EAC Sports Center in Ermita, Manila.
Gravengard, the 6-1 guard who played for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in 2011-12, scattered 18 points while quarterbacking for FEU-NRMF of coach Pido Jarencio and manager Nino Reyes.
The 27-year-old Kinesiology graduate, who once worked at the Steve Nash Fitness Clubs, had his finest moment in the second quarter when he scored 11 points on drives and mid-range jumpers.
Wang’s Ballclub-AsiaTech also debuted in style, beating last year’s runner-up Emilio Aguinaldo College, 82-81, in the tournament supported by Smart Sports, Dickies Underwear, Star Bread and Gerry’s Grill.
Gravengard’s smashing debut in the league mirrored the eye-popping start of his half-brother Clay Crellin for the same Fairview, Quezon City based team in the MBL eight months ago.
Gravengard and Crellin have the same Filipina mother now based in Canada.
Crellin, who earned MVP honor while leading FEU-NRMF to the MBL title last December, finished with 12 points despite battling foul trouble.
Veteran Erwin Sta. Maria also scored 14 points, including three triples, while ex-PBA star Jerwin Gaco added 10 points to lead the Tamaraws’ charge.
PBA D-League veteran Jason Grimaldo carried the fight for the Stallions of manager Jomar Acuzar and coach Rainier Carpio with 11 markers.
Wang’s-Asia Tech rode on two pressure-packed free throws by former Arellano University mainstay Ralph Salcedo with 11 seconds left to salvage the win over EAC.
Salcedo’s free throws came after Gabriel Aguas of EAC scored on a layup to tie the score at 80-all and CJ Cadua split his free throws to give the Generals a one-point cushion, 81-80.
Rey Publico topscored with 29 points for Wang’s of managers Alex Wang and Shelalin Manarin and coach Pablo Lucas.
John Tayongtong and Argen Sabalza added 11 points apiece.
Sidney Onwubere paced the Generals with 23 points, followed by Jethro Mendoza with 13 and Allan Martin with 11.