Star battles Wang's in vital match

MANILA, Philippines - Star Group of Publications takes on defending champion Wang’s Ballclub today in a crucial showdown for an outright semifinal berth in the MBL Invitational basketball championship at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros.

Gametime is 8:30 p.m. with odds just about even between Wang’s and Star Group, tied for second with 4-2 (win-loss) slates in  the tournament backed by Smart Communications, Dickies Underwear and PRC Courier Services.

Led by ex-pros Biboy Simon and Jonathan Aldave and American missionary Joshua Manthe and managed by businessman-sportsman Alex Wang, the Mandaluyong-based team is seeking a follow-up to its 102-91 win over EJM Pawnshop last Oct. 14.

But the Starmen are also coming off an 83-75 victory against Royale Business Club, also last week.

Dennis Rodriguez, Gio Coquilla, Virgilio Roquea and Jong Bondoc are tipped to lead Star’s bid again against the fancied Wang’s. 

CUSA champion Manuel Luis Quezon U, the other team still in the race for an outright semis berth, clashes with Royale BC at 7 p.m.

Hobe Bihon shows the way with a 5-0 mark.

The top two teams after the single round elims will gain the twice-to-beat incentives in the semis, while the next four teams will slug it out for the two other semis seats in a pair of knockout matches.

The winners in the semis will dispute the title in a winner-take-all encounter.