He’s popularly known as a master 3-pointer but at times, Chester Cokaliong shows off his multi-faceted hoop skills.
From punching triples to dishing out picture-perfect assists and converting baskets off fearless drives, Cokaliong did all that in spearheading the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) All-Stars to an 89-69 rout of Dewfoam-United Architects Basketball Club (UABC) in their exhibition match last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
It was a complete sweep by the CECABA stars over the dribbling Architects as they also topped the 3-point shootout, 2-ball contest and free-throw shooting competition. It was the second time CECABA won all categories, the first was against the Sacred Heart Alumni Basketball Association (SHABA) two years ago.
Cokaliong lived up to his lofty billing by claiming the 3-point king title, his fifth this year and 17th overall in his decorated career. He nailed 15 points highlighted by a fourth-rack sweep in the championship round, beating teammate Sammy Sia who had 11 points.
Cokaliong and his brother Christopher settled for first runner-up honors in the 2-ball contest dominated by their comrades Edvin Kaw and Ryan Alexis Mendez with 34 points. Cokaliong also finished second to free-throw shooting champion Emerson Go.
Cokaliong capped his splendid performance by taking home the All-Star MVP trophy anchored on his 25-point explosion garnished with three assists and two rebounds. He issued back-to-back feeds to Gregorio Aguilar and Bryan Lo that handed CECABA a 17-point edge, 55-38, with 4:40 left in the third period.
From that point on, CECABA maintained double-digit leads, the biggest stood at 22 points, 80-58, on Cokaliong’s two consecutive barelling drives at the final 3:30 mark of the contest. Interestingly, Cokaliong’s fifth and final triple of the day pegged the final count.
The game was close at first, with the Architects of skipper Alan G. Choachuy taking an early 8-5 lead. Six deadlocks ensued before CECABA grabbed the lead for good after the first quarter, 23-22.
The Architects threatened for the last time at 27-30 as the bigger and taller CECABA slowly ripped the game apart from thereon. Aside from Cokaliong, the Easternians also drew good plays from man mountain Ricky Yu and Sammy Sia with 20 and 14 markers, respectively.
Elmer Laguna paced the Architects with 14 points followed by Mark Capili with 10.
The scores
CECABA (89) - Cokaliong 25, Yu 20, Sia 14, Kaw 7, Aguilar 6, Lanutan 6, Cokaliong 4, Tan 3, Lo 2, Go 2
UABC (69) - Laguna 14, Capili 10, Suico 9, Osmeña 8, Sulay 6, Matunog 5, Mayuela 4, Lim 4, Perez 4, Alberto 3, Choachuy 2
Quarterscores:23-22, 40-31, 65-48, 89-69— EBV