If you're wondering just how the country's top four quintets are ranked this season, forget it. Meralco, which was ranked no. 5 (unofficialy) last year dealt the 1968 MICAA champion Mariwasa its second setback in three days by throttling the Hondas, 75-70, in the Panamin benefit cage series at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last night. In another match, Yutivo, no. 4 last year, thrashed national champion Yco, 79-64. It was also the second defeat for the Painters who were ranked no. 2 last season. In the openers last Friday, Yutivo humbled Mariwasa, 84-75 while Meralco overpowered Yco, 88-78.
(Yutivo's big guns are Ernesto Morales, Clemente Bargas, Rogelio Melencio and Jesus Dungo. Meralco's top players were Lloyd Higgins, Ric Cabrera, Ramon Lucindo and Joseph Wilson.