CdSL, MLQU in big wins

Colegio de San Lorenzo-V Hotel found an unlikely hero in Argie Baldevia to subdue Wang’s Ballclub-Asia Tech, 74-69, for its third straight win in the 2017 MBL Open basketball tournament at the PNP Sports Center in Camp Crame. 

Baldevia hit two back-breaking three-point shots in the final two minutes and finished with 23 points to power the Blue Griffins of sports patron Jimi Lim and coach Boni Garcia to victory over the hard-fighting Couriers.

Nigerian import Chabi Soulemane added 14 points, including a breakaway reverse dunk following a costly Wang’s turnover with under a minute left.

The 6-6 Soulemane also shone on defense, frustrating the vastly-improved Wang’s line-up built around Fil-Am players hoping to land a contract in the coming PBA draft.

Former Ateneo de Manila mainstay Chris de Chavez carried the fight for Wang’s with 17 points, including four triples.

Michole Sorela added 15 points, Ryan Arambulo contributed 12 and Jason Riley had 10 for the Mandaluyong-based team of MBL chairman Alex Wang and coach Pablo Lucas.

Robbie Herndon, the 6-3 former San Francisco State standout, finished with seven points.

Earlier, Manuel Luis Quezon University-Victoria Sports barged into the win column by beating Philippine National Police, 75-58.

Gianne Rivera and Nikko Lao struck hardest for the Stallions, who dominated the game en route to their first win in four matches in this eight-team tournament sponsored by Smart Sports, Gerry’s Grill, Ironcon Builders, Dickies and Star Bread.

Rivera scored 17 points and Lao added 15 points for the Stallions of playing manager Jomar Acuzar, consultant Jino Manansala and coach Rainier Carpio.

Julius Criste led the Responders with 15 points in the tournament sponsored by Smart Sports, Gerry’s Grill, Ironcon Builders, Dickies and Star Bread. Cyril Santiago and Crislyn Elopre added 11 points apiece for PNP, which is being handled by Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) head Gen. Gilberto Cruz, Col. Jerome Balbontin and coach Eric Samson.