Pineda lifts Supremo

MANILA, Philippines - Paul Pineda hit a buzzer-beater as Supremo Lex-Builders eked out an 86-84 squeaker over Uratex to move to solo second in Group A in the fourth DELeague Invitational basketball tournament at the Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City last Tuesday.

Pineda, who wound up with 14 points, eluded Uratex’s Felix Africu and drilled in a baseline jumper as time expired, shattering an 84-all count and handing Supremo Lex-Builders its second win in three starts to stay behind the idle Hobe-JVS side’s 2-0 mark.

Lervin Flores topscored for Supremo with 15 points and grabbed six rebounds while Adrian Gallardo snared 10 rebounds.

Uratex dropped to a 1-1 standing after Fidel Castro shot 18 points, JC Po made 17 points and had four rebounds while Africu pulled down 14 rebounds for Uratex, which dropped to 1-1.

Africu completed a three-point play off Jovin Datu while Von Tambeling made a split as Uratex forced a tie at 84 before Pineda came through with the game-winner.

FEU-NRMF, meanwhile, opened its campaign with an 80-78 victory over erstwhile unbeaten Sealions in Group B of the league backed by Marikina Mayor Del De Guzman and sponsored by PCA Marivalley, St. Anthony Hospital, PS Bank Blue Wave Marquinton Branch, Luyong Restaurant Concepcion, Mckie’s Equipment Sales and Rental and Tutor 911.

Raymond Aguilar fired 15 points and had five rebounds for FEU-NRMF while Anthony Hargrove backed him up with 11 points and four rebounds.