Defending champion Henkel Philippines ’95 terminated Welcoat Paints 2004, 75-52, to advance into the Division 2 finals of the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association’s 10th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
Earlier, Chester Enterprises ’82/83 kept its championship hopes alive after edging out VAG Trading ’94, 64-53.
Class ’95 feasted on the absence of Class 2004 top gunners Christian Espada and Danel Hayag to come up with a 23-point blowout of the early title favorites.
Donald Anthony Ting scattered 23 points, while Dean Dy Teves and Joseph James Yu chipped in 18 and 14 markers, respectively, for Class ’95, which launched a furious 45-27 rally in the final half to demolish the hapless Paintmasters.
Aljhune Areja topped Class 2004 with 14 points. It was an unexpected exit for the Welcoat Paints-backed squad as it completed an 11-game sweep in the classification round only to crumble in the semifinal phase.
Class ’82/83, on the other hand, capitalized on a fierce opening assault, 24-12, to pin down its opponent.
Class ’94 pulled within 30-35 at halftime, but the Chester Enterprises-sponsored side replied with a 15-9 bang in the third period to regain a 50-39 lead and dampen the spirits of Class ’94 entering the final 10 minutes of play.
Scoring machine Stephen Tan unloaded 20 points, while Christopher Cokaliong and Samuel Co contributed 10 markers apiece for Class ’82/83, which will figure next in a do-or-die match with Dewfoam ’88.
Unfortunately in that crucial game, Class ’82/83 will miss the services of Cesar Ting, who was automatically suspended for one-game for punching Class ’94 cager Ghetto Beldeniza.
Stanley Gaw had 18 points for Class ’94, while Wellington Cup added 12 markers.
The scores
First game
Class ’82/83 (64) - Tan 25, Cokaliong 10, Co 10, Ting 8, Lim 8, Yu 2, Borromeo 1
Class ’94 (53) - Gaw 18, Yu 12, bejer 10, Beldeniza 9, Chua 2, Jao 1, Revilla 1
Second game
Class ’95 (75) - Ting 23, Dy Teves 18, Yu 14, Gollon 6, Co 4, Chica 4, Ong 4, Tan 2
Class 2004 (52) - Areja 14, Syponco 10, Co 9, Mamac 9, Uy 5, Chan 3, Wee 2 – EBV