Stream hands Aegis first loss in CSCC E-League

CEBU, Philippines - Stream Ingenyouity personified great teamwork as they handed the Aegis Vipers their first loss of the season via a 73-71 cliffhanger in the 9th CSCC E-League for Basketball at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Joselito Aranda had 16 points on top of eight assists, seven rebounds, and four steals in an all-around hardcourt brilliance for Stream. Sylvester Millevo was similarly impressive, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks as they earned a share of the Southern Conference lead with their victims on identical 7-1 win-loss records.

John Louie Arriesgado netted 13 points, three assists and two steals, while Angelo Lucero chipped in a dozen markers, seven rebounds and two blocks for Stream, which used a searing 27-12 run in the second quarter to end Aegis' seven-game winning streak.

Aegis countered with a 28-17 blast in the third period to forge a 56-all deadlock, but Stream played steadier down the stretch to grind through a thrilling two-point victory.

Ryan Veloso paced Aegis with 24 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and two assists followed by Steve Warren Navaja with 15 points in a losing cause.

In the other games, Franco Angelo Cipriano exploded with 25 points, 12 rebounds and six steals to power the Lexmark Stallions to an 88-69 demolition of Telstra-Teletech Titans, while Reinario Salibay, Jr. had 18 points and five rebounds in Wipro Tigers' 60-52 conquest of the SSI Warriors.

Ian Froi Divinagracia torched 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists, Neil Tiempo added 11 points, three assists and two steals, while Sigfred Ofonda nailed 10 markers and four steals for Lexmark, which now holds a 7-2 win-loss record.

Lexmark actually had a slow start resulting into a 32-all standoff at halftime, but it mauled Telstra-Teletech in the third, 29-20, then closed the match with a 27-17 bang for the 19-point romp.

Rodello Manuel fired 24 points, five rebounds, and two assists for Telstra-Teletech. Ben Belena had 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Edsel Capillanes turned in 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals but their effors proved futile as they absorbed their seventh defeat in nine games.

On the other hand, Giovanni Taok and Ernie Ygot combined for 21 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and three assists as Wipro notched its sixth win in eight starts. They never looked back after taking off to a hot 19-9 start. No player cashed in double figures for SSI, which fell to 2-7. (FREEMAN)