Class '96 rebounds in CECABA hoopla

Big Boss '96 bounced back from a previous loss, but had to struggle hard first before repulsing the gritty Cokaliong Shipping '98, 73-69, in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's 8th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup last Sunday at the City Sports Club of Cebu gym.

In the other game, John Brian Lo sowed terror for the third straight game, dishing out his second triple-double of the season in Class 2000's 86-58 demolition of the winless Gregoria's Curtains and Trims Haus 2005.

Class '96 and Class '98 engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle most of the way, but the Big Boss-backed squad personified fortitude and craftiness in the closing minutes of the game to secure the win.

Burly center Shaun Christopher Wang topped with 19 points highlighted by a perfect 11-of-11 shooting from the foul line, while Rogelio Donayre added 14 points on a 7-of-9 sniping from the field for Class '96, which improved its win-loss record to 8-1.

Elvis Evangelista, Robinson Yap, and Jed Lawrance Co connived for 53 points but to no avail as Class '98 fell to 4-4.

Later, Lo cashed in 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, while Raymond Ryan Ong also had 18 points on top of seven rebounds and three assists for Class 2000, which relied on a strong start and a powerful endgame kick to post its seventh win in 10 games.

Class 2000 got off to a blistering 22-5 start and then closed the game with a fluid 32-10 spurt for the 28-point blowout.

Philip Lua had 18 points and nine rebounds, while Kent Uy added 11 markers as Class 2000 slipped to its ninth straight defeat in as many games.

The scores
First game
Class 1996 (73) - Wang 19, Donayre 14, Pelaez 9, Baron 8, G. Go 6, Renejane 6, Alinson 5, Ang 4, Lariosa 2
Class 1998 (69) - Evangelista 19, Co 18, Yap 16, Millan 8, P. So 7, Escoton 1

Second game
Class 2000 (86) - Lo 18, Ong 18, Boltron 12, Chua 11, Kua 9, Mercadal 8, Peña 8, Lausa 2
Class 2005 (58) - Lua 18, Uy 11, Alegado 9, Tiu 7, Lee 5, Angcay 4, Ramiro 4