Wang's Ballclub, 5th Avenue Telecoms prevail in MBL

Wang's Ballclub scored a come-from-behind victory over Makati-Pamplona-Nojo, 95-92, and 5th Avenue Telecoms made smashing debut win over Nougat Candy in the 2007 Metropolitan Basketball League (MBL) Invitational Second Conference basketball tournament at the Lyceum Gym in Intramuro, Manila. Wang's Ballclub banked on the explosive shooting touch of ex-pro Biboy Simon to escape with a thrilling win over Makati-Pamplona-Nojo, according to an MBL statement issued on Wednesday. Simon scored 16 of his game-high 36 points in the payoff period, including a difficult three-point shot with only 11 seconds remaining to clinch the win for the Mandaluyong-based team of businessman-sportsman Alex Wang and coach Loreto Tolentino. Simons' heroics, which included six three-pointers, capped a dramatic comeback for Wang's, which trailed in all three quarters. Chico Manabat of Makati and Nhoel Baltazar of Wang's earlier traded baskets to forge a deadlock at 92-all. Manabat gave Makati its last taste of the lead at 92-90 with 59 seconds left, but Baltazar tied the score 20 seconds later to set up a thrilling finish. Caloy Sario led Makati with 33 points in a virtual scoring duel with Simon. RB Mangahas added 26 and Manabat contributed 11. Their strong second-half performance allowed 5th Avenue to subdue Nougat. Jam Alfad, Jeffrey Sanders, and Robert Labagala combined for41 points to lead 5th Avenue of manager Mike Dullas and coach Junnel Mendiola to a smashing debut. Alfad topscored with 15 points, followed by Sanders with 14 and Labagala with 12. Ex-PBA player Alvin Teng and Adrian Wong led Nougat with 12 and 11 points, respectively. The scores First game Wang's (96): - Simon 36, Murillo 16, Catacutan 11, Baltazar 9, Cuevas 7, Lucas 6, Litonjua 5, Montemayor 4, Assuncion 2, Malinao 0,Wang 0, Napiza 0, Labitag 0 Makati (92): - Sario 33, Mangahas 26, Manabat 11, Feihl 5, Catamora 5, Cuevas 4, Siglos 3, Morales 2, Tungol 2, Tibay 1 Quarters: 18-29, 43-51, 65-69, 96-92 Second game 5th Avenue (84): Alfad 15, Sanders 14, Labagala 12, Moody 9, Lim 8, De Guia 6, Raymundo 6, Zagala 5, Go 3, Litonjua 2, Hugnatan 2, Puno 2, Tuble 0 Nougat (66): - Teng 12, Lagar 11, Wong 11, Vitug 10, Ang 8, Yun 6, Sy 3, Chua 2, Salon 2, Mancilla 0, Ng 0, Tiu 0 Quarters: 19-13, 38-35, 65-55, 84-66