TWO-TIME defending champion Hobe Bihon-JVC hurdled stubborn Supremo Lex Builders-OLFU team, 87-79, Thursday night to remain on top of Group A in the 4th DELeague Invitational Basketball Tournament at Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City.
Supremo-OLFU forged the game’s last deadlock at 79-all on a jumper by Adrian Alban, with 3:49 left, before Hobe Bihon finally pulled ahead for good.
Teng Reyes led Hobe-JVC with 13 points followed by Mike Wards with 12 points and five rebounds. Paul Santiago and former Globalport Batang Pier player Mark Yee contributed 10 points each.
Paul Pineda led Supremo-OLFU with 15 points.
Hobe-JVC raised its record to 2-0 while Supremo-OLFU dropped to 1-1 in the league supported by Marikina Mayor Del De Guzman.
In the other game, Siargao Legends demolished Marist Basketball League Selection, 111-63.
CJ Perez topscored for the Legends with 16 points with big men Charles Mammie and Mark “Big Mac” Andayao adding 15 and 14 points, respectively. Siargao went undefeated in two games.
Mike Anoyanon and Francis Sison scored 11 points each for MBL while Edward Olotu finished with 8 points and 12 rebounds.
The league, featuring former PBA and collegiate stars, resumes on Tuesday in observance of All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day. Uratex Foam will be facing Supremo Lex Builders-OLFU, while FEU-NRMF clash with Sealions in the first game.