Defending champion FEU-NRMF-Gerry’s Grill and Philippine Christian University lived up to their high billing and rolled to similar impressive victories in the 2017 MBL Open basketball championship at the EAC Sports Center in Ermita, Manila.
FEU-NRMF overwhelmed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 114-77, in a rematch of last year’s title showdown to extend its winning streak to three games.
Equally impressive was PCU, which toppled newly-crowned UNTV Season 5 champion Philippine National Police, 85-64, in the battle of debuting teams in the event sponsored by Smart Sports, Ironcon Builders, Star Bread, Dickies Underwear and Gerry’s Grill.
Raniel Jake Diwa scattered 25 points to lead a balanced scoring attack by the Fairview, Quezon City-based Tamaraws, who led from start to finish in beating the Generals.
Dexter Zamora, Glenn Gravengard, Erwin Sta. Maria, Jerwin Gaco and import Moustapha Arafat also produced big numbers in FEU’s biggest winning margin.
Zamora added 17 points and Fil-German Gravengard contributed 14 points for the Tamaraws of manager Nino Reyes and coach Pido Jarencio.
Jethro Mendoza finished with 15 points for the Generals.
