Forward Taguig rips Lyceum in MBL opener

MANILA, Philippines - Forward Taguig lived up to its high billing by beating defending champion Lyceum-Showa, 78-63, at the start of the 2010 MBL Open basketball championship at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros, Manila.

Former University of Santo Tomas standout Jemal Viscara and St. Benilde guard Lou Gatumbato provided the 1-2 punch for Forward Taguig, which needed only a decisive scoring run in the third quarter to score the breakaway victory.

Viscara scattered 18 points, while Gatumbato added 13 points for the Mayor Freddie Tinga-supported Taguig, which outscored Lyceum-Showa, 28-8, in the third period to erase a 33-35 halftime deficit and take a commanding 61-43 lead going into the payoff period.

Ex-pro Niño Marquez added nine points and Boyet Bautista and Jeff Tajonera contributed seven points apiece for Taguig of coach Bing Victoria.

Hans Thiele, a 6-5 mainstay of Cossack Vodka in PBL, carried the fight for Lyceum-Showa with 14 points.

Rich Guevarra finished with 13 points, Victor Medina Jr. added 11 and Mark Fampulme had 10 for Lyceum-Showa, which was handled by assistant coaches Billy Reyes and Alex Brower in the absence of head coach Bonnie Tan.

Former PBA coach Turo Valenzona made the ceremonial toss during a simple opening ceremony.

The two-month long tournament supported by Smart Communications, Dickies Underwear, PRC Couriers and Santillan Beach Resort resumes on Tuesday.

 with four more teams making their debut.

Last year’s MBL Open runner-up UST takes on Foscon Ship Management at 6 p.m., while perennial CUSA titlist Manuel Luis Quezon University tests the mettle of PJS Law Firm at 7:30 p.m.