RCBC rules Star Friendship League

Jaime Oliva played like a man possessed, erupting for 43 points, and RCBC held off ABS-CBN, 89-78, to rule the first Philippine Star Friendship League at the Meralco gym yesterday.

Oliva, a 5-foot-5 spitfirish pointguard, wreaked havoc from all over the court, giving the Bankers a big lift to emerge bewildered champions of the six-team tournament. He was later adjudged Most Valuable Player.

Seeded fourth in the Final Four, RCBC defied the odds as it nipped top seed San Miguel Beer, 87-85, in the semis then overcame No. 3 ABS-CBN in the finals.

The Philippine Star, managed by Kevin Belmonte and supported by Adidas, played a well-balanced game to offset Samboy Lim’s 48-point explosion in a 117-92 victory for third place.

Six Starmen scored in double figures led by Jon de Guzman and Alfred Bartolome with 23 and 17 points, respectively. Arnel Ferrer had 16, Ting Hojilla 12, Joey Viduya 11 and Noli Lapena 10.

Oliva buckled down to work right from the start, rifling in 24 in the first half. He made a big damage again on ABS-CBN in the third quarter by piling up 12 points.

ABS-CBN actually put up a tough stand but found a gaping hole in its game in the fourth quarter with ace forward Zoilo Gonzales leaving the game early because of a work assignment.