RJX Trans trips Young Builders

CEBU, Philippines - RJX Transport Solutions ‘99 unleashed a furious fourth quarter offensive to turn back Young Builders ‘91, 71-66, in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association’s 11th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup on Friday night at the CEC gym.

Class ‘99 trailed for most of the way including at 43-52, but Mark Eugene Bukiron took matters into his own hands, pumping 13 of his topscoring 23 points in a tide-turning 28-14 rally that helped the RJX Transport-backed squad snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Bukiron also had 10 rebounds and four steals for RJX Transport.Ruben Yap, Jr. added 12 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists, while Albert Uy banked 11 points and three assists as they improved their win-loss record to 9-1.

Juan Borromeo Jr. cashed in 15 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Chester Benedict Go added 14 markers for Class ‘91, which slipped to 4-4.

In the other game, MFL Mini-Mart ‘98-A rode on a strong start and a steady fourth-quarter showing to escape with a 59-57 victory over Dewfoam ‘88.

Rex Millan topped Class ‘98-A with 20 points on top of seven rebounds and four assists. Paul Timothy So had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Erick Andrew So added 12 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block as they notched their only third win in eight starts.

Santos Chua chipped in 10 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists for Class ‘98-A, which gallantly protected an early 17-10 lead until the final buzzer.

Rey Kenneth Ng had a season-best 16 points on top of four rebounds but his big night was spoiled as Class ‘88 saw its seven-game win streak come to sudden red stop. Gregorio Aguilar had 15 points and five rebounds, while Erwin Yu added 13 points, five rebounds and four steals but their efforts went to waste as they fell to 7-2.

The scores

First game

Class ‘98-A (59) — Millan 20, P. So 16, E. So 12, Chua 10, Lim 1

Class ‘88 (57) — Ng 16, Aguilar 15, Yu 13, Dy 5, Villamor 4, Lim 4

Second game

Class ‘99 (71) — Bukiron 23, Yap 12, Uy 11, Lauron 9, See 7, Bagano 6, Ang 3    

Class ‘91 (66) — Borromeo 15, C. Go 14, Lim 8, Co 8, E. Go 7, Ty 6, Tan 5, Teson 3. – THE FREEMAN