MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas-Ironcon Builders subdued Mapua-Mighty Sports, 59-55, even as Skyforce finally barged into the win column in the 2011 MBL Invitational basketball championship at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros, Manila.
The Tigers relied on Aljohn Mariano and Kevin Ferrer to subdue the Cardinals and tighten their grip on the solo lead with their fourth straight win in the 10-team, single-round tournament sponsored by Smart Sports, Cebuana Lhuillier, Dickies Underwear, Parola Maritime, PRC Couriers and WG Diner.
Mariano, the 6-foot-3 power forward who made it to the National Capital Region Mythical Five of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center, scattered 17 points for the Tigers of coach Pido Jarencio and manager Jaime Lim.
Ferrer added 14 points despite the Cardinals’ tough defense.
Jeric Fortuna, Louie Vigil and Kim Lo also played well for the Tigers, who are seeking a fitting follow-up to their MBL Open title last May.
Mark Parala fired 14 points for the Mighty Sports-supported Cardinals of coach Chito Victolero.
Mark Brana and Kenneth Ighalo added eight points apiece for Mapua, which dropped to 1-2.
Overshadowed by UST’s win was Skyforce, which rallied to beat Lyceum-Yummy Hotdogs, 80-75, for its first win in three matches.
Former National Ustandout Ariel de Castro teamed-up with Ismael Junio and former Coca-Cola mainstay Ronjay Enrile to lead Skyforce.
De Castro scored 21 points—eight in the first quarter alone—Junio added 18 and Enrile contributed 13.