COLEGIO de San Lorenzo-V Hotel proved steadier in the endgame to subdue Diliman College-JPA Freight Logistics, 62-55, and move to within a win of completing a seven-game sweep in the 2017 MBL Open basketball championship at the PNP Sports Center in Camp Crame
Soulemane Chabi Yo and Dominic Formento stood at the helm of the victory for the Boni Garcia-mentored Griffins, who assured themselves of at least a tie for one of two outright semis berths with their sixth straight win in the event backed by Smart Sports, Star Bread, Dickies Underwear, Gerry’s Grill and Ironcon Builders
Chabi Yo, the 6’6” standout from the French-speaking West African nation Benin, exploded with 10 of his game-high 21 points in the payoff period to lead the Griffins of CdSL president Monneth Balgan and sports parron Jimi Lim to victory.
Formento added 14 points, including two back-breaking triples midway in the fourth period to frustrate the Dragons of coach Rensy Bajar.
Diliman import Alex Diakhite matched Chabi Yo’s strong showing with 19 points despite early foul trouble.
Diakhite had his finest moment in the second period when he scored nine points for the MBR Sports-supported Dragons of former Sen. Nikki Coseteng and businessman-sportsman Jerry Alday.
In the first game, Philippine National Police rallied from a huge 19-point deficit to stun Wang’s Ballclub, 75-72, and barge into win column after five losses.
Ricardo Cabrera scored 13 of his team-high 18 points during the Responders’ mind-boggling comeback that saw them erase a 42-61 third quarter deficit to beat the Couriers.
Julius Criste added 17 points, including three straight triples, as PNP outscored Wang’s, 33-11, in the fourth quarter to turn the game around.
Rolando Abaya, Japeth Cabahug, Abul Khair Bayabao and Harold Sta. Cruz also stepped up for the Responders, who kept their slim hopes of advancing to the next round alive.
The loss ended Wang’s chances for an outright semis berth.
The scores:
First game
PNP (75) — Cabrera 18, Criste 17, Abaya 9, Cabahug 8, Bayabao 7, Sta. Cruz 6, Alejandro 4, Nicolas 3, Gonzales 2, Onguran 1.
Wang’s-AsiaTech (72) — Thomas 17, Importante 11, Sorela 8, King 6, Ambulodto 6, Montemayor 6, Arambulo 4, Riley 4, Habelito 4, De Chavez 3, Asuncion 3.
Quarterscores: 19-27, 30-42, 42-61, 75-72
Second game
CdSL-V Hotel (62) — Chabi Yo 21, Formento 14, Baldevia 9, Rosas 8, Laman 4, Gabriel 2, Alvarado 2, Castanares 2, Vargas 0, De la Cruz 0.
Diliman-JPA (55) – Diakhite 19, Torrado 8, Gerero 7, Angeles 5, Antalan 5, Regencia 4, Brutas 3, Chavenia 2, Salazar 2, Tay 0.
Quarterscores: 12-8, 27-27, 40-37, 62-55