CECABA All-Stars off to blazing start LISO, JBA and SCBHABA also win I Executive's Cup

The Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) All-Stars served early notice on its serious title campaign when it dumped the Sacred Heart Alumni Basketball Association (SHABA) selection, 76-55, at the start of the 2005 Executive's Cup basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club of Cebu gym.

Defending champion Lilio-anon Sports Organization also went off to a flying star, even as the debuting Jaycees Basketball Association and the San Carlos Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) showed off sterling performances to demolish their respective foes.

LISO reaffirmed its mastery over last year's runner-up Club Monday with an 81-70 rout, the JBA hoopsters escaped with a 61-54 triumph over the CECABA selection, while the heavy title favorite SCBHABA mangled the Rama Boys-Guardo Barkada, 97-84.

The deadly Chester Cokaliong, Sammy Sia and Joel Chan troika spurred the CECABA All-Stars to an auspicious start in this two-month cagefest for 35-years-old and above executives.

Cokaliong topped with 20 points spiked with five 3-pointers, Sia chipped in 18 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, while Joel Chan cashed in the league's first triple-double, finishing with 16 points on top of 16 rebounds and 10 assists in an all-around hardcourt brilliance.

SHABA was in the game only in the first half where it trailed by just five, 30-35, as the CECABA All-Stars launched a devastating attack in the second half, including a 22-10 bomb in the windup that sealed SHABA's doom.

On the other hand, Abner Desiderio had 21 points and eight rebounds, while Edgar Ybañez and Renato Jugalbot connived for 24 markers for LISO, which used a fierce 26-16 endgame assault to frustrate Club Monday.

In the other games, JBA banked on a daring third quarter breakaway to stun the CECABA selection despite the absence of its ace hitman Chris Sta. Maria, while the SCBHABA stars kept the Rama Boys-Guardo Barkada never looked back after mounting a 30-12 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Archie Coros showed the way for JBA selection with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul Abais almost singlehandedly carried SCBHABA to victory with 37 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

The scores:

First game
CECABA All-Stars (76) - Cokaliong 20, Sia 18, Chan 16, W. Yu 7, Tan 5, Kaw 4, Chua 2, Cimafranca 2, Dy 2.

SHABA selection (55) - N. Lim 16, Acusar 12, H. Lim 7, Casas 7, G. Lim 5, Carcel 3, Chua 3, Veloso 2.

Second game
LISO (81) - Desiderio 21, Ybañez 13, Jugalbot 11, Oncines 9, Bio 6, Fernandez 4, Pepito 4, Maglasang 4, Cañete 3, Bantilan 2, Sevilla 2, Torlao 2.

Club Monday (70) - Seno 19, Alfeche 18, Nardo 7, Fontanoza 7, Fernandez 5, Reyes 4, Bantolinao 3, Del Mar 3, Monterroyo 3, Navarro 1.

Third game
JBA selection (61) - Coros 23, Sta. Maria 11, Yu 9, Purcia 8, Germano 4, Tongco 4, Toledo 2, Chua 2.

CECABA selection (54) - Tan 23, Co 9, Lee 8, Cokaliong 7, Lim 3, H. Yu 2, J. Yu 2.

Fourth game
SCBHABA (97) -Abais 37, Banaag 18, Pua 9, Wong 9, Sepe 8, Monsanto 6, Diaz 5, Amores 3, Ramos 2.

Rama Boys-Guardo (84) - Zamora 26, De la Calzada 17, Lim 12, Yuvallos 8, M. Rama 7, Basamot 6, Borres 5, Yu 4.