MANILA, Philippines - The Star Group of Publications subdued EJM Pawnshop, 62-58, while MLQ University edged Lyceum of the Philippines, 73-72, in a pair of tight matches at the start of the 2010 MBL Invitational (second conference) basketball championship at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros, Manila.
Handled by Rene Recto and Mike Maneze, the Star Group relied on Jong Bondoc, Dennis Rodriguez and Virgilio Roque in staving off repeated rallies by EJM in the fourth quarter.
Bondoc finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for Star Group, while Rodriguez added nine points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting from the rainbow territory. Roque contributed eight points.
Allan Evangelista and MC Caceres carried the fight for EJM Pawnshop with 15 and 12 points, respectively.
The Stallions leaned on the heroics of Jopher Custodio, who scored on a putback with only 12 seconds left, to complete a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over the Pirates.