Phil Star wrests solo lead, trips PLDT

The Philippine STAR hung tough in the clutch and watched PLDT foul up on the foul line as it pulled off a pulsating 87-82 victory yesterday to seize the solo lead in the Coke Light Invitational basketball tournament at the Meralco Gym.

The STARmen were held to just five points in the final five minutes of the contest but these were enough to seal their third straight victory for the solo lead in the event organized by The STAR president/CEO Miguel Belmonte to foster camaraderie and friendship among their business partners and advertisers.

The Phone Pals battled back from double-digit deficits but flubbed all but three of their 12 attempts from the line in the fourth quarter, enabling the STARmen to escape with the win.

Chris dela Cruz supplied the firepower from the long range, scoring a game-high 25-point output that included three triples, while Vir Roque, the main man in The STAR’s 83-71 triumph over Sunkist last week, provided the muscle inside the paint and knocked in 24 points.

Rene Recto orchestrated The STAR’s offense with pinpoint accuracy on top of scoring 10 points while Roy Canlas, Ting Hojilla, Alfred Bartolome, Jon de Guzman and Arnel Ferrer took care of defense that stymied the taller, heftier Phone Pals.

Popular singer-actor Martin Nievera had a triple to make up for a scoreless effort in his debut game last week for PLDT, which is now tied with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, which beat Red Bull Barako, 94-82, in the other game. Earlier, CAR, Inc. beat Sunkist, 99-95. — Joey Villar