Aegis keeps Division lead in CSCC E-League

CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion Aegis Vipers shrugged off a lukewarm start on the way to crush the Teleperformance Kings, 63-43, and keep the solo Division 1 lead with a 6-1 win-loss record in the 10th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Aegis trailed by one after the first 10 minutes of play, 20-21, but retaliated with a 11-1 blitz to take the lead at halftime, 31-22, for good. The Vipers outscored the Kings in the third, 14-11, then closed the match with a 17-9 spurt resulting into a 20-point romp.

Ryan Veloso topped Aegis with 12 points on top of 12 rebounds and four assists, while Rodulfo Enterina III chipped in 10 points, three assists, two steals, two rebounds and two blocks. Rnyl Joey Cagas finished with 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Kings, who fell to 2-2.

On the other hand, Niel Tiempo sparkled with 20 points laced with six assists and four rebounds as the Lexmark Stallions slammed the 1&1 Marauders, 84-51, to forge a three-way tie at second place in Division 1 with the Convergys 1 Wolves and Accenture Sharks on identical 4-1 win-loss cards.

Ralph Loren Martinez netted 10 points, dished out four assists and picked up three steals for Lexmark, which mounted a commanding 43-24 lead at the break the sent the Marauders reeling the rest of the way. Raymaond Basañez had 19 points, four rebounds and two assists but his efforts went to waste as 1&1 suffered its third loss in five starts.

In the other games, the Xerox Knights whacked the Microsourcing Bullies, 69-47, while the Talleco/Job Targets Bandits finally barged at the win column at the expense of Calltek Trojans, 46-42.

Jason Rosafa exploded with 20 points spiked with four assists, two steals and as many rebounds as Xerox bettered its record to 3-2. Mircrosourcing is still without a win in five games.

Andrew Joseph Isobal tallied 15 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and four assists, while Mark Matidios added 12 points, eight rebounds and two assists for Job Target, which snapped out of its four-game jinx. Calltek suffered its fourth setback against one win despite drawing 14 points, five rebounds and four steals from Mark Louise Gellez. (FREEMAN)