Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA)

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CECABA All-Stars, JBA reach Execs Cup semis
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
The Freeman 08/05/2006

After barely missing a share of the All-Star MVP honors, Chester Cokaliong put up another one big show.

Cokaliong knocked in six 3-pointers of his topscoring 20 points, even as four others dished out double figures as the CECABA All-Stars freezed Punta Princesa Sports Association (PPSA)-I Coller Marketing, 89-71, to reach the 2006 Executives Cup basketball semifinals on Thursday as the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Later, the Jaycees Basketball Association (JBA)-Purcia Transport/Crunchiken found Club Monday-Gatorade a tough costumer to handle this time, nevertheless dodged the upset axe via a hard-earned 74-69 decision to complete the four-team semifinal cast.

Joining the CECABA All-Stars and JBA into the semis are topseed San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) and Team Barkada.

Interestingly, the CECABA All-Stars march into the penultimate round as the underdog considering that they lost to the three other semifinalists during the elimination phase.

Cokaliong, who also had two steals and a rebound, got huge backing from Stephen Tan with 15 points, six rebounds and three assists followed by Wilson Yu with 14 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in a slendid show of hardcourt savvy.

Peppery guard Joel Chan was in his usual decisive form, finishing just a two assists shy from another triple-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, while Richard Yu chipped in 11 markers, seven rebounds and three assists for the CECABA All-Stars.

Unlike in their previous meeting that resulted into 104-66 blowout, the CECABA All-Stars had a hard time pulling away from PPSA in the first three quarters until Cokaliong and Stephen Tan conspired for 20 points in a furious 29-19 endgame run to seal the 18-point romp.

In the other game, Archie Coros posted 25 points and James Lloyd Noel banged in 18 markers to help JBA avert what could have been one of the biggest upsets this season.

Club Monday mounted a gallant stand most of the way and even threatened at 67-69, but JBA made a 5-2 blitz in the closing seconds of the game to march into the next round without hitch.

The scores

First game

CECABA All-Stars (89) - Cokaliong 20, S. Tan 15, W. Yu 14, Chan 13, R. Yu 11, Sia 6, Cokaliong 5, E. Yu 3, R. Yu 2

PPSA Selection (71) - Ortega 22, Hernandez 17, Arellano 14, Espinoza 13, Lim 3, Mosqueda 2

Second game

JBA Selection (74) - Coros 25, Noel 18, Jayme 13, Odulio 9, Cortes 5, Chua 4

Club Monday (69) - Seno 22, Alfreche 21, Macasero 10, Fernandez 4, Montuerto 4, Bacatan 4, Ponay 2, Monterroyo 2

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CECABA All-Stars set up finals duel vs. SCBHABA
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
The Freeman 08/12/2006

The Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) All-Stars and San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) nipped separate foes to set up a best-of-three titular showdown in the 2006 Executives Cup basketball tournament at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Still armed with excellent defensive shield, the Pilipinas Shell-backed CECABA All-Stars ripped Team Barkada, 77-66, while SCBHABA-M. Lhuillier fended off a gallant resistance by the exuberant Jaycees Basketball Association (JBA)-Purcia Transport/Crunchicken to scrape through a precarious 87-82 win.

Already in the finals with similar 2-0 slates, the CECABA All-Stars and SCBHABA reduced their 7:30 pm duel this Tuesday into a non-bearing match although it is still of high significance considering that it's a championship preview with a lot of pride at stake for both teams.

The winner, for sure, will enjoy the needed morale-booster heading into the series opener on Thursday. Game 2 is slated on August 22, while the deciding game, if necessary, will be played on August 24.

For the second straight game, coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug saw the positive effects of his brazen move, transforming the highly offensive CECABA All-Stars into a defense-oriented squad.

Proof to that, the CECABA All-Stars shut down Barkada's run-and-gun game and never looked back after jumping off to a sizzling 9-0 start. After padding their lead to 41-26 at halftime, the Easternians kept their double-digit advantage the rest of the way.

Top center Sammy Sia had his finest game of the season with 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists, although it was flashy guard Joel Chan who copped the game MVP honors with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.

Forward Wilson Yu had another big night, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Richard Yu added 14 points and five rebounds, Chester Cokaliong added eight markers spiked with a pair of 3-pointers, while Erwin Yu scored only four but donated six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

In the main game, SCBHABA almost tasted defeat in the face of a spirited challenge by the never-say-die JBA Selection, which controlled the entire game until the final 54 seconds when SCBHABA knotted the count at 52-all.

Bull-strong forward Dindo Sausa played the hero's role for SCBHABA as he erupted with 34 points, 18 in the fourth quarter including the team's last five points that bailed them out of danger.

Sausa completed a three-point play to make it 85-82 for SCBHABA with 18 ticks to go before the final buzzer. He was later fouled and calmly dropped his charities to peg the final canto and extinguish JBA's quest to forge a rubbermatch.

Paul Abais added 17 points and Virgil Pua added 16 as SCBHABA advanced into the championship round for the first time in three years.

The CECABA All-Stars, on the other hand, barged into the finals for the second consecutive season despite entering the semifinal phase as the fourth-seed in those instances.

The scores

First game

CECABA All-Stars (77) - Sia 18, W. Yu 17, R. Yu 14, Chan 12, Cokaliong 8, E. Yu 4, S. Tan 4

Barkada (66) - P. Yu 20, Lim 12, Molina 11, Zamora 9, Mante 5, De la Calzada 5, Borres 2, Prieto 2

Second game

SCBHABA (87) - Sausa 34, Abais 17, Pua 16, Banaag 7, Diaz 4, Amores 4, Zanoria 2, Monsanto 2

JBA (82) - Jayme 23, Odulio 18, Noel 18, Coros 10, Cortez 7, Rosal 6

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CECABA All-Stars fire back: Outsmart SCBHABA in Game 2 to forge rubbermatch

The Freeman 08/24/2006

With their backs against the wall, the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) All-Stars conjured all the strength they could muster to lash back at San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA)-M. Lhuillier, 73-69, and forge a rubbermatch in their best-of-three 2006 Executives Cup basketball finals.

Thus, expect the City Sports Club-Cebu Gym to be transformed into a suspense theater as the CECABA All-Stars and SCBHABA collide anew in knockout Game 3 at 7:30 tonight to settle one and for all who will take home the coveted championship.

Prolific outside gunner Chester Cokaliong and husky guard Joel Chan provided the deadly one-two punch that helped the Pilipinas Shell-backed CECABA All-Stars dispell their three-game jinx to SCBHABA this season.

Cokaliong, CECABA All-Stars consistent leading scorer, topscored with 19 points spiked with six 3-pointers, half of which shielded CECABA All-Stars from a fierce fightback by SCBHABA in the second half.

Chan, however, who copped the game MVP honors with his spectacular triple-double output of 15 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. It was a sweet redemption for Chan after scoring only five in the series opener.

The CECABA stalwarts nearly flirted with disaster as it allowed SCBHABA to close in at 59-62 after leading by as much as 17 points early in the second quarter.

Cokaliong, however, doused cold water on SCBHABA's blistering run by knocking in his sixth and last triple of the night that gave CECABA of coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug a 65-59 breather.

Afterwards, the SCBHABA bench was slapped with a technical foul for excessive complaining and Cokaliong split his charities to make it 66-59 for the Easternians.

Still, the stubborn SCBHABA cagers refused to roll down and just die as they threatened at 71-69 on three consecutive triples by Paul Abais and Jonathan Diaz in the closing seconds of the game.

In the return play, steady forward Wilson Yu was fouled by SCBHABA top pointman Edwin Banaag in an attempt to stop the clock. To the delight of his teammates, Yu showed iron nerves in converting two free throws to ice CECABA's hard-earned triumph.

Aside from W. Yu who had seven points, six rebounds and two assists, also worth mentioning for was CECABA All-Stars ace playmaker Erwin "Tornado" Yu who was literally everywhere to finish with 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Abais topped SCBHABA with 22 points, eight rebounds and two assists, but got only help from Dindo Sausa with 10 points and 10 rebounds. For the first time, Banaag emerged as the team's lowest scorer after being held off to only three points. - EBV

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Class ‘87 hands comebacking ‘80 second straight defeat in CECABA caging

The Freeman 02/08/2007

The Security and Systems Monitoring Inc. ’87 rode on Henrich Chua’s singular offensive outburst to deal the comebacking Anything Better Home Creative ’80 its second straight defeat, 73-66, in the 9th Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) season at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Chua relived the golden moments when he churned out 60-plus points during the early years of the league by hitting 33 points to catapult Class ’87 to a sizzling start this season. George Artus was the only other double-digit scorer for Class ’87 with 19 markers.

Chua unloaded 15 points in the first two quarters to power Class ’87 to a seven-point advantage at the bend, 35-28. His 19 points in the final half immensely helped Class ’87 neutralize Class ‘80’s offense.

Cristino Lim once again topped Class ’80 with 20 points. Stanley Uang added 18 points and Joseph King chipped in 14 markers, but still they couldn’t find the winning formula.

In the other game, Villa Shipping ’70s sailed smoothly to a 56-46 thrashing of Worldwide Travel and Tours ’89.

The Class ’70s mainstays somewhat defied Father Time as they toyed with Class ’89 in the first three quarters where they piled up points enough to buffer them to their second consecutive victory in as many starts.

After closing the first half with a 28-16 edge, Class ’70 continued to pounce on Class ’89 in the third canto to pad its lead to 16 points, 44-28, entering the final 10-minute mark of the contest.

Class ’70s deftly parried Class ‘89’s late rally to preserve its 10-point triumph.

Danny Calagos showed the way for Class ’70s with 14 points, while Antonio Go, Antonio Ong and Nelson Yu also figured prominently with 27 points combined.

Henry Chua paced Class ’89 with 14 points followed by Ryan Alexis Mendez with 13. — EBV

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Neo-Neo '85 slams '89, Chester '83 upsets Dewfoam '88 in CECABA caging

The Freeman 02/25/2007

Spunky guard Joel Chan did a one-man demolition job in steering Neo-Neo Grill '85 to a 60-46 thrashing of Worldwide Travel and Tours '89 in the 9th Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) season on Friday night at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Chan was three assists shy from a triple-double finish with 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven feeds as Class '85 stayed undefeated after four games.

Edwin Kaw was the only other double-digit scorer with 11 markers, six rebounds and four assists for Class '85, which used a devastating 21-10 rallyt in the windup to blow away Class '89.

Ryan Alexis Mendez had a game-tying high 24 points, but couldn't make a difference as Class '89 absorbed its third loss with only one win to show.

In the other game, Stephen Tan unloaded 24 points on top of 15 rebounds and three steals, but it was Henry Yu who played the hero's role as Chester Enterprises '83 pulled off a 55-54 stunner over the highly-favored Dewfoam '88 in overtime.

Class '88 led by a hairline, 54-53, with just a few seconds left in the extra five-minute period, but Henyu Yu bravely sank the game-clincher to the delight of the entire Class '83 bench.

It was only Yu's fourth point of the game.

Class '83 evened its win-loss record to 2-2 in a tie with Class '88, which drew 15 points and season-highs 19 rebounds and three blocks from man mountain Richard Yu.-EBV

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Neo-Neo '85 slams '89, Chester '83 upsets Dewfoam '88 in CECABA caging

The Freeman 02/25/2007

Spunky guard Joel Chan did a one-man demolition job in steering Neo-Neo Grill '85 to a 60-46 thrashing of Worldwide Travel and Tours '89 in the 9th Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) season on Friday night at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Chan was three assists shy from a triple-double finish with 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven feeds as Class '85 stayed undefeated after four games.

Edwin Kaw was the only other double-digit scorer with 11 markers, six rebounds and four assists for Class '85, which used a devastating 21-10 rallyt in the windup to blow away Class '89.

Ryan Alexis Mendez had a game-tying high 24 points, but couldn't make a difference as Class '89 absorbed its third loss with only one win to show.

In the other game, Stephen Tan unloaded 24 points on top of 15 rebounds and three steals, but it was Henry Yu who played the hero's role as Chester Enterprises '83 pulled off a 55-54 stunner over the highly-favored Dewfoam '88 in overtime.

Class '88 led by a hairline, 54-53, with just a few seconds left in the extra five-minute period, but Henyu Yu bravely sank the game-clincher to the delight of the entire Class '83 bench.

It was only Yu's fourth point of the game.

Class '83 evened its win-loss record to 2-2 in a tie with Class '88, which drew 15 points and season-highs 19 rebounds and three blocks from man mountain Richard Yu.-EBV

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Class '98 and '95 go 5-0 in CECABA

The Freeman 03/06/2007

Cokaliong Shipping '98 and Henkel Philippines '95 stretched their unbeaten streak to 5-0 in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's 9th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup over the weekend at the CEC gym.

Class '98 took full command of the game from start to finish to dispatch JRJ Enterprises 2000, 68-51, while Class '95 spewed fire in the middle quarters to destroy Eco-Tech Appliance '94, 72-57.

Rex Millan dropped 16 points, while Robinson Yap and Elvis Evangelista combined for 23 points, 17 rebounds and two assists for Class '98, which threw a powerful 20-11 punch in the windup to finish off Class 2000.

John Brian Lo had 18 points and five rebounds followed by Pimco Pimentel with 12, but their efforts did not pay off as Class 2000 suffered its third defeat against only one win.

Class '95, on the other hand, preyed on the absence of explosive guard Anwar Satina to blow off Class '94 for its fifth victory in as many games. Class '94 was hardly hit by the exit of Satina, who is now seeking greener pastures in London.

Erwin Ong was the happiest in Class '95's triumph as he became the 34th member of the league's 1,000-point club. He only needed seven markers to reach the feat, but torched 11 on top of four rebounds and three assists.

Donald Anthony Ting scattered 25 points, five assists and three steals, while Joseph James Yu added 11 markers and five rebounds for Class '95, which used a devastating 46-17 in the second and third periods to turn an early 14-19 deficit into an imposing 24-point bulge, 60-36, heading into the final stretch.

Stanley Gaw stepped up in Satina's absence with 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists, but his efforts did not produce positive effects as Class '94 fell to 3-3.

In the other games, Cebu Pacific Transport '99 and Chester Enterprises '83 improved their win-loss records to 3-2 after beating separate foes in similar fashion.

Class '99 escaped with an 80-77 win over Sun Gold 2005, while Class '83 survived a monumental endgame collapse to smother the listless Cebu Hardware Corp. '84, 72-62.

Ruben Yap, Jr. topped Class '99 with 26 points, eight rebounds, and three assists on a 10-of-15 shooting from the field, while Albert Uy and Kent Noeh Ang donated 18 and 14 markers, respectively, to spoil a scintillating 32-point performance by Philip John Lua.

Cesar Ting topscored for Class '83 with a season-high 16 points, while Stephen tan chipped in 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Class 2005 slipped to 1-4, while the skidding Class '84 remained winless in five starts despite a solid double-double show by star center Sammy Sia with 21 points and 11 rebounds. - EBV

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Petrogas '92 extends win streak to eight in the CECABA
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
The Freeman 03/20/2007

A red-hot Petrogas '92 extended its winning streak to eight games in a row with a 74-54 scorching of Security and Systems Monitoring Inc. '87 in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's 9th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup over the weekend at the CEC gym.

It was a triple celebration for Ryan Ordes as aside from topscoring for Class '92 with 16 points on top of eight rebounds, he also reached the 1,000-point plateau becoming the 38th player to achieve the feat since the league's inception nine years ago.

Richard Lanutan added 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals for Class '92, which pummeled Class '87 quarter after quarter to post a league-best 8-0 start via a 20-point blowout.

Charlie Tolentino dished out a season-highs 15 points and four steals, while George Artus added 14 markers and nine caroms for Class '87, which slumped to its second straight defeat after kicking off its campaign with five successive wins.

John Brian Lo, on the other hand, also had a big night as he became the 39th player to breach the 1,000-point mark in powering JRJ Enterprises 2000 to a 60-57 conquest of ACY Shipping 2000.

Lo finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Lorenz Azzaraga added 16 points and nine rebounds as Class 2000 improved to a 3-3 while handing Class 2000 its sixth straight setback in as many starts.

In the other games, Hannah's Cakes and Decors 2004 kept its sizzling run with a 62-54 beating of Cokaliong Shipping '98, while Castrol '96 rolled past Sun Gold 2005, 76-63.

Class 2004 deftly protected a 45-37 edge after three quarters on the way to nail its sixth win against only one loss.

Christian Espada unleashed a razor-sharp performance finishing with 23 points, 15 rebounds, four steals and three assists for Class 2004, while Aljhune Areja added 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and the same number of steals.

Elvis Evangelista submitted double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds for Class '98, which suffered back-to-back losses after an impressive 5-0 start.

Arnel Frank Pelaez had 17 points and 11 rebounds followed by Drefuss And with 15 and Mark Ryan Babor with season-highs 13 points and 13 rebounds for Class '96, which used a decisive 28-12 run in the windup to improve its win-loss record to 4-1.

Class 2005 fell to 1-5 despite a balanced offensive by Kent Benedict Uy, Philip John Lua, Godsent Alegado and Jarden Ramero, who connived for 55 points. The scores

First game

Class '92 (74) - Ordes 16, Lanutan 14, Ngo 9, Diputado 9, Kong 9, Tan 8, W. Yu 5, S. Yu S. 4

Class '87 (54) - Tolentino 15, Artus 14, Chua 8, K. Lim 7, J. Lim 6, Angeles 4

Second game

Class 2000 (60) - Lo 21, Azarraga 16, Pimentel 9, Mercadal 6, Ocarol 5, Yu 2, Boltron 1

Class 2006 (57) - Dy 21, Cisneros 17, Gochuico 12, Tan 5, Tan 2

Third game

Class 2004 (62) - Espada 23, Areja 20, Hayag 10, Chan 2, Mamac 2, Co 2, Sypongco 2, Wee 1

Class '98 (54) - Evangelista 15, Yap 10, P. So 9, E. So 9, Millan 4, Escoton 4, Co 3

Fourth game

Class '96 (76) - Pelaez 17, Ang 15, Babor 13, Alinson 9, Chua 7, Dy 6, Donayre 4, Tan 3, Gue 2

Class 2005 (63) - K. Uy 15, Lua 14, Alegado 14, Ramiro 12, M. Uy 2, Tiu 2, Yu 2, Salibio 2

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Class '83 spoils big night of Mendez, Chiang
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
The Freeman 03/25/2007

Ryan Alexis Mendez and Joseph Allan Chiang of Worldwide Travel and Tours '89 both reached a milestone but what could have been a double-party was spoiled when they fell prey to Chester Enterprises '83, 62-67, in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's 9th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup on Friday night at the City Sports-Club Cebu gym.

Mendez, who posted a game-high 23 points on top of six rebounds and five steals, became the league's sixth member to reach the 2,000-point plateau, while Chiang joined the 1,000-point club as its 39th member.

Mendez and Chiang, however, couldn't celebrate completely as Class '83 played a kill joy's role in gatecrashing their party.

Stephen Tan tossed in nine of his 15 points in the first period to power Class '83 to a blistering 22-8 start.

Class '83 toned down offensively in the succeeding period, but got back to work in the third quarter to preserve a 13-point advantage, 53-40, going into the final 10 minutes of the contest. The Chester Enterprises-backed squad never looked back from thereon.

Tan also had 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks although it was Edwin Lim who topped Class '83 with a season-high 18 points, four assists and three caroms. Cesar Ting added 14 points and six rebounds, while Christopher Cokaliong chipped in 13 markers and eight rebounds as they improved to 6-2.

Chiang finished with 12 points, five rebouds, four assists and two steals, while Ryan Yap donated 10 markers and six rebounds for Class '89, which fell to 2-6.

In the other game, Kent Benedict Uy netted in a career-high 38 points as Sun Gold 2005 prevailed over JV Shop N' Shop '97 in overtime, 78-75. Uy also had seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in his finest game of the season, so far.

Philip John Lua scored 18 followed by Godsent Alegado with 17 points and six rebounds for Class 2005, which notched its only second victory in seven starts.

Bryan Labus fired a season-best 21 points and nine rebounds, while Aubrey Jones Ibones dished out double-double show of 13 points and 11 rebounds but their efforts went for naught as Class '97 suffered its fourth defeat against only two wins.

The scores
First game

Class '83 (67) - E. Lim 18, Tan 15, Ting 14, Cokaliong 13, R. Yu 4, Yao 2, Co 1

Class '89 (62) - Mendez 23, Chiang 12, Yap 10, Chua 7, Lao 4, Mirhan 4, Ong 2

Second game

Class 2005 (7 - K. Uy 38, Lua 18, Alegado 17, Angcay 5

Class '97 (75) - Labus 21, Ibones 13, Dano 10, Maurin 9, T. Tan 8, Uy 4, Sy 3, Tan 3, Maderazo 2, Chan 2

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Shell ‘78 outlasts ‘83 in CECABA
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
The Freeman 04/01/2007

Like a brave general in the battlefield, Chester Cokaliong is always at the forefront of his team’s attack. The thing of beauty is that from his dynamic leadership rose several heroes worthy to receive a badge of honor. At least in their hardcourt war against Class ’83.

In a great show of team effort, the Pilipinas Shell-backed Class ’78 toiled hard in the entire 40-minute skirmish before rolling past the gritty Chester Enterprises ’83, 72-68, to bolster its quarterfinal bid in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association’s 9th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup on Friday night at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Class ’78 was without two key players in Joven Cimafranca and Efren Uy, but the likes of Wilty Yap, Wendell Sia, Mario Baluyos and Joselito Lee stepped up bigtime to compliment another prolific night by Cokaliong.

"My teammates really stepped up for we played without two key players (Cimafranca and Uy). I commend them for the efforts they’ve shown especially Mario Baluyos who played his best game for quite a long time now," said a very elated Cokaliong.

Cokaliong, who has carved his own niche in the local cagedom for his 3-point proficiency, topped Class ’78 with 24 points spiked with six triples on top of three steals, one assist and one rebound. He went 6-of-7 from the free throw line.

Class ’83 jumped to a 10-6 start, but Cokaliong bombed in three successive treys in a 15-4 run capped by his own free throws to put Class ’78 ahead by seven, 21-14, after the first period.

Cokaliong’s fifth 3-pointer of the night handed Class ’78 its biggest lead of 14 points, 36-22, with 2:22 left before halftime, but Class ’83 opened the third period with a 15-5 bang to wrest the driver’s seat, 46-45, on a three-in-one fastbreak play completed by Stephen Tan.

That proved to be Class ‘83’s last gasp of breath as Sia completed a 3-point play and then shot 3-of-4 from the foul line to hand the lead back to Class ’78 for good, 51-46.

Class ’83 stayed within striking range, but Class ’78 pulled away for nine-point edge, 64-55, on a short stab by Baluyos courtesy of a picture-perfect assist by Cokaliong with 4:25 left to play.

The closest Class ’83 could come was at 64-69 as Baluyos canned two free throws off a foul by Henry Yu to practically seal Class ‘78’s triumph, 72-64, with only 33 ticks left to play.

Christopher Cokaliong scored a basket and then Resil Yu hit a leaning jumper as the final buzzer honked to peg the final count.

Free throw shooting was one of the main components that spelled the difference of the game. Class ’78 nailed 20-of-29, but Class ’83 shot a paltry 6-of-17 from the 4.5-meter line.

Cokaliong was heavily backed up by Wilty Yap with 14 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks in an awe-inspiring show of hardcourt versatility. Sia contributed 11 points, 10 rebounds and two assists for Class ’78.

Baluyos scattered all his eight points in the crucial fourth period on top of seven rebounds and two steals, while Joselito Lee added 10 points and six rebounds. Playmaker Henry Villamor also deserved a special mention with five points, four rebounds and three assists as Class ’78 upped its win-loss record to 4-5.

Cesar Ting posted 18 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals, while Stephen Tan added 14 points and 17 rebounds for Class ’83. Christopher Cokaliong also netted 14 points on top of nine rebounds and three assists but couldn’t make an impact as Class ’83 suffered its third loss against six wins.

In the other game, Juan Borromeo, Jr. fired season-highs 18 and 18 rebounds, while Kevin Co added 16 markers, five rebounds and four assists as Young Builders ’91 slaughtered Anything Better Home Creative ’80, 99-59.

After closing the first half with a commanding 47-22 advantage, Class ’91 kept on pounding on the hapless Class ’80 to notch its seventh victory in nine stars. Class ’80 fell to 2-5.

Hernan Ong had a season-best 14 points for Class ’91, while Chester Benedict Go and Emerson Go connived for 25 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Tony Yu paced Class ’80 with 18 points and 11 rebounds followed by Stanley Uang and Alan Canda with 16 and 11 markers, respectively.

The scores

First game

Class ’78 (72) - Cokaliong 24, Yap 14, Sia 11, Lee 10, Baluyos 8, Villamor 5

Class ’83 (6 - Ting 18, Tan 14, Cokaliong 14, R. Yu 9, Calagos 6, H. Yu 3, Co 2, Lim 2

Second game

Class ’91 (99) - Borromeo 18, Co 16, Ong 14, C. Go 13, E. Go 12, Mission 9, Lim 6, De la Torre 5, Crisologo 4, Teson 2

Class ’80 (59) - Yu 18, Uang 16, Canda 14, King 11