Bombers blast Pirates in MBL

MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal University made it six wins in a row when it humbled Lyceum of the Philippines-Yummy Hotdogs, 101-81, in a keenly-watched match between two leading NCAA teams in the MBL Invitational basketball championship at the JRU gym in Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City.

Nate Matute scattered 23 points, including five three pointers, and the Heavy Bombers used a strong defensive effort to shut down the Pirates in the third and fourth periods on the way to their sixth straight win in the 10-team tournament sponsored by Smart Sports, Cebuana Lhuillier, Dickies Underwear, PRC Couriers and Parola Maritime.

In the second game, Mapua-Mighty Sports survived a furious fourth-quarter rally by Wang’s Ballclub to escape with a heart-stopping 92-91 win.

Handled by PBA legend-turned-coach Vergel Meneses and supported by athletic director Paul Supan, the Heavy Bombers drew firepower from 5-11 Matute and 6-4 Ralph Monserat and clamped down on the Pirates’ gunners in the second half to turn a close contest into a rout.

Monserat finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds and Decoy Lopez added 14 points for the Heavy Bombers, who turned the game around with a smashing 36-point third quarter production.

Chris Cayabyab and Rich Guevarra carried the fight for the Bonnie Tan-mentored Pirates with 22 and 14 points, respectively.

Mapua-Mighty Sports rode the hot hands of Jonathan and Gab Banal and Josan Nimes to establish several double-digit leads in the first 3 1/2 quarters but held on in the closing seconds to stave off Wang’s rally.

Jonathan Banal, son of coach Koy Banal, finished with 18 points, while Gab Banal, son of coach Joel Banal, added 15 points for the Cardinals of coach Chito Victolero.

Former PBA mainstay Jonathan Aldave led Wang’s with 23 points, followed by Jonathan Pinera with 22 and Anthony Cuevas with 14.

Aldava and former Letran teammate Pinera triggered Wang’s comeback and Cuevas’ difficult undergoal stab made it 91-92 with still five seconds left.