Game Today (JRU Gym)
6:30 p.m. – Mandaluyong vs Quezon City
Mandaluyong produced another strong performance on both ends of the floor to bring down North titleholder Quezon City, 82-61, Monday at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila and move within a win of capturing the overall title in the 2017 Metro Basketball Tournament (MBT) 24 year-olds-and-under competition via an unprecedented tournament sweep.
The “Fearsome Foursome” of Sandy Ceñal, Prince Allan Liquinan, Angelo Manalac and Cyrus Tabi provided the spark for the Tigers of head coach Johnedel Cardel as they scored 70 of the team’s total output in routing the Stars at the start of the Grand Finals of this tournament organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) thru the Metro Manila Sportsfest and supported by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The Tigers, who swept their six games in the classification round before beating Pateros in the semis and MMDA in the division finals, can wrap up the title with another victory today in Game 2 at the JRU Gym in the Tigers’ home city.
Game 3, if necessary, will be played Saturday.
Ceñal, who earned MVP honors during the first MBT All Star-Game last month, led the way with 27 points on a 10-of-17 shooting in 32 minutes of action in the event which has Mobile App ng Bayan Barangay 143 as presentor, my|phone “Bida ang Pinoy” as official mobile phone, Spalding as official ball, and Synergy 88, San Miguel Corp., World Balance, Higer Bus and One World Music and Sports Inc. as major sponsors.
The event is backed by Excellent Noodles, Nature’s Spring Water, 1-Pacman Partylist, Hopewell Sales Corp., Star Bread, Frabelle Foods, Regan Industrial Sales, Inc., Glitter.ph, Alcoplus and Archie’s Bespoke Bar + Grill.
MANDALUYONG 82 – Ceñal 27, Liquinan 18, Manalac 13, Tabi 12, Boholano 6, Senires 3, Reyes 3, Dada 0, Tilos 0, Calapine 0, Haboc 0.
QUEZON CITY 61 – Comia 13, Estoce 13, Udjan 12, Salazar 10, Asuncion 5, Antipuesto 2, Barraquias 2, Cortez 2, Padigdig 2, Villacorta 0, Murao 0, Dolotallas 0, Nebre 0.
Quarters: 26-12, 46-35, 70-51, 82-61.