MANILA, Philippines - Erase Plantcenta subdued erstwhile unbeaten Naughty Needlez-MJM Production, 83-75, while Sexa-Peel humbled Philippine Coast Guard, 85-58, to strengthen their chances in the 2012 MBL First (Open) Conference basketball championship at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros, Manila.
Allan Mangahas scored seven of his game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter and the Erasers survived a late scoring burst by movie-TV actor Gerald Anderson to escape with their third win in four matches in this nine-team, single-round tournament sponsored by Smart Sports, Ironcon Builders, Cebuana Lhuillier, Dickies Underwear and PRC Couriers.
J.V. Ferreria added 16 points and Erwin Cornejo contributed 14 points for the coach Yong Garcia-mentored Erasers.
Philippine Patriots standout Eric Rodriguez carried the fight for Naughty Needlez-MJM of coach Elvis Tolentino with 18 points.