Los Jefes outsmarts SCBHABA Chester Cokaliong captures 10th 3-point shootout crown

The Chester Cokaliong-skippered Los Jefes de Cebu went on a scoring rampage in the fourth quarter to shackle the reigning Executives Cup champion San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA), 78-66, in their exhibition match last Sunday at the City Sports-Club Cebu gym.

The game was part of Los Jefes de Cebu of coach Mark Anthony Tallo fine-tuning in preparation for its title defense in basketball event of the 29th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Intersports set from September 15 to 17 in General Santos City.

Remberto Lawas topscored for Los Jefes with 14 points, but it was Cristopher Cabaltera who copped the game MVP honors anchored on his all-around performance finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The two protagonists engaged in a tight-rope battle most of the way with Los Jefes taking only a matchstick advantage after three quarters, 53-52.

Lawas and Misael Arias stepped on the gas in the payoff period where they combined 13 points during a game-closing 25-14 run that vaulted Los Jefes de Cebu to a 12-point rout of SCBHABA.

Los Jefes won convincingly despite SCBHABA picked up some reinforcements in the likes of Lou Regidor, John Andrew Auza, Arturo Pepito Mata and Enjel James Sievert.

Arias contributed 11 points for Los Jefes, while Esteban Cesar Ortega and Reynaldo Abarquez chipped in 10 markers apiece.

Cokaliong, obviously exhausted after taking part in several shooting competitions before plunging into hardcourt war, scored only three points.

Inspite of that, Cokaliong was still grinning ear-to-ear as the sports-minded shipping magnate earlier bagged what he had been longing for - a 10th 3-point king crown.

Cokaliong ruled the Los Jefes-SCBHABA 3-point shootout in decisive fashion, whipping his teammate Enrico Espinosa in the final, 18-11.

Cokaliong, who topped the elimination with 12 points, was extremely hot in the championship round with nine consecutive baskets. He sank all five balls in the third rack and then made four more in the fourth rack that elicited a roaring applause from the crowd.

Had he drilled in the money ball, Cokaliong would have completed a two-rack sweep, a very rare feat in shooting contests be it in the amateur, commercial or pro leagues.

In retrospection of an interview by this writer on October 24, 2004 when he talked of a possible retirement once he will be able to collect a total of 10 3-point shootout titles, Cokaliong said in slight jest:"Maybe, I'll try to add 10 more titles then retire."

Meanwhile, the SCBHABA cagers did not go home empty-handed as they won the free throw shooting competition courtesy of Dindo Sausa and the 2-ball contest behind the efforts of Bonito Zanoria and Rex Anthony Villamor.

The scores

Los Jefes de Cebu (78) - Lawas 14, Cabaltera 13, Arias 11, Ortega 10, Abarquez 10, Gastador 7, Naron 6, Cokaliong 3, Espinoza 2, Maninang 2

SCBHABA (66) - Regidor 14, Sausa 9, Abais 9, Pua 8, Sepe 6, Wong 6, Auza 4, Sievert 4,Banaag 2, Monsanto 2, Zanoria 2

Quarterscores:16-16, 37-33, 53-52, 78-66