SSI, Wipro complete semis cast in CSCC E-League

CEBU, Philippines – After being stunned in their previous games, the SSI Warriors and the Wipro Tigers bounced back with savvy to hand their respective foes their exit slips and barge into the conference semifinals of the 10th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym. SSI elbowed out the Kyocera Frontiers, 70-63, while Wipro axed the ASI Hardbacks in dominating fashion, 80-58.

Lawrence Daven Agas sparkled with 21 points on top of six rebounds and five assists for SSI, which gamely recovered from a sluggish start to hold off the upset-seeking Kyocera. The Warriors trailed by five after the first period, 9-14, but rallied back in the second canto to pull within just a hairline at the bend, 37-38.

The Warriors sustained their momentum with a 21-13 rally in the third quarter to change the course of the match in its favor, 58-51, for good. Agas drew huge support from Robert Espinoza with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Rhett Romeo Tomakin chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists for the winning side.

Ariel Ramonito Edera topped Kyocera with 19 points, six rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks. Winston Stephen Panal had 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals for the already ousted Frontiers.

Wipro, on the other hand, did not give ASI any breathing space after cruising to a hot 26-13 start. The Tigers then launched their second wave of attack, 20-9, to post an imposing 24-point bulge, 36-22, at halftime. Despite a strong third-quarter showing, the Hardbacks groped for form from there onwards.

Reinario Salibay Jr. led a balanced offensive by Wipro with 12 points and three rebounds. Pol Klinton Alfeche and Franz Martinex each had 11 markers, while Dan Doroteo Pestaño Jr. scored 10 for the roaring Tigers.

SSI and Wipro, however, both face a tall order next as they battle the ePerformax Reds and the unbeaten Convergys 2 Blue Devils, respectively, in the best-of-three conference semis that will start next week. — EBV) (FREEMAN)