JOSE Rizal University brought down University of Santo Tomas-Ironcon Builders, 75-72, to capture the title in the MBL Invitational basketball championship at the Aquinas gym in San Juan.
John Byron Villarias and Nate Matute provided the clutch baskets for the Heavy Bombers, who weathered the Tigers’ repeated rallies to escape with the win in their winner-take-all encounter in this prestigious tournament sponsored by Smart Sports, Cebuana Lhuillier, Dickies Underwear, PRCCouriers and Parola Maritime.
Villarias, a 6-foot recruit from Bacolod City, finished with 17 points, while Matute added 14 points for the Vergel Meneses-mentored Heavy Bombers.
Villarias had five points in the final period, including a difficult undergoal stab that put the Mandaluyong-based Heavy Bombers ahead for good.
Alex Almario added 10 points, including the tie-breaking three-point shot that put the Heavy Bombers in front, 71-68, with three minutes left.
UST-Ironcon, which played minus head coach Pido Jarencio, had a chance to send the game in overtime but Aljon Mariano’s potential game-tying three-point shot failed to hit the mark as time expired.
Jeric Teng topscored for the Ironcon Builders-supported Tigers with 19 points, followed by bull-strong Karim Abdul with 14 and Mariano with 10.
MBL chairman Alex Wang awarded the trophies to the champion, assisted by Jimi Lim of Ironcon Builders.
Matute was also named as Most Valuable Player (MVP).
MOB Packers, led by playing coach Richie Melencio and consultant Yong Garcia , clinched third place.
Actually, JRU led by double digits several times behind the hits of Villarias, Decoy Lopez and Ivan Camasura.
But UST-Ironcon came charging back in the third quarter to keep the game close with Teng hitting his strides from outside and Abdul dominating the shaded area.
The game was marked by several physical plays, with both teams complaining of several non-calls.
The Tigers also struggled with foul trouble most of the way, with Abdul and Jelo Afuang getting limited action.
A three-point shot by Teng enabled UST-Ironcon to tie the score at 68-all with still 3:15 left.
The other team swhich saw action are Skyforce, Mapua-Mighty Sports, Wang’s Ballclub, Letran College, Investwell, Lyceum of the Philippines-Yummy Hotdogs and Now TV-Trinity University.
Multi-titled coach Loreto “Ato” Tolentino was the commisisoner, while Albert Andaya was the tournament director.
The scores:
JRU (75) -- Villarias 17, Matute 14, Almario 10, Lopez 8, Carampil 6, Mabulac 5, Mendoza 4, Camasura 4, Guiang 4, Paniamogan 2, Rebugio 1, Monserat 0, Salaveria 0.
UST-Ironcon (72) -- Teng 19, Abdul 14, Mariano 10, Bautista 9, Pe 8, Afuang 5, Fortuna 5, Sheriff 2, Ferrer 0, Vigil 0.
Quarterscores: 22-12, 41-31, 56-54, 75-72.
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