Skyforce, Mapua trounce foes, stay in hunt for semis

MANILA, Philippines - Skyforce edged erstwhile unbeaten Jose Rizal University, 81-80, while Mapua-Mighty Sports subdued Investwell, 83-73, to keep their hopes for a semifinals berth alive in the MBL Invitational basketball championship at the JRU gym in Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City.

Former Philippine Youth mainstay Jay-Ar Taganas of San Beda College and ex-pros Jeff Sanders and June Longalong exploited their height advantage to the hilt, scoring repeatedly from inside the shaded area to escape with a heart-stopping win over the Heavy Bombers.

Taganas scattered 15 points, while Sanders and Longalong added 14 points apiece for the Manila-based team of businessman-sportsman Nestor Luego.

The 6-3 Taganas, known as “Baby Shaq” during his San Beda days, outworked his younger and smaller JRU defenders in the shaded area during a pivotal stretch in the fourth period to power Skyforce to its fourth win in seven tries.