Manda Tigers seek MBT crown vs Stars

Game today (JRU Gym) 6:30 p.m. – Mandaluyong vs Quezon City

Mandaluyong clobbered North titleholder Quezon City, 82-61, last Monday at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila to move within a win from winning the overall crown in the 2017 Metro Basketball Tournament (MBT) 24 year-olds-and-under competition.

Sandy Ceñal, Prince Allan Liquinan, Angelo Manalac and Cyrus Tabi provided the spark for the Tigers of head coach Johnedel Cardel as they combined for 70 points in their rout of the Stars at the start of the grand finals of the tournament organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) through 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 in Game 2 at 6:30 tonight at the JRU Gym.

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 backed by 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.