Lexmark goes 5-0, Kyocera stuns Supportsave

CEBU, Philippines – The Lexmark Stallions galloped past the Convergys Blue Devils, 57-51, for their fifth straight win, while the Kyocera Frontiers stunned the previously unbeaten Supportsave Dragons, 72-67, in the 11th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Franco Angelo Cipriano sparkled with 16 points, 14 rebounds, six steals and as many blocks in all all-around hardcourt brilliance for Lexmark. Sylvester Millevo added 13 points, passed out five assists and hauled four rebounds, while Ralph Loren Martinez chipped in 12 markers as the Stallions fortified their hold of the solo lead in the Elite Classic with a clean 5-0 slate.

The Stallions were in full control after a hot 16-4 start. They then quelled the Blue Devils' endgame attack to escape with a six-point win. Oscar Villamor, Jr. finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Blue Devils, who slumped to their fifth loss in as many starts.

Kyocera, on the other hand, pulled the trick despite playing with only seven players, thanks to the spectacular performance of Ariel Ramonito Edera who unloaded 18 of his topscoring 23 points in the decisive final-half assault that lifted them to victory over the fancied Dragons.

Kyocera trailed by eight points after three quarters, 49-57, but turned the tables on Supporsave using a game-closing 23-10 run.

Edera also had eight rebounds, five steals and three assists, while Eduardo Tuico, Jr. banged in 15 points, eight rebounds, eight steals and four assists.Winston Stephen Panal donated 12 points and nine rebounds as Kyocera grabbed the solo second spot in Evo League with a 6-1 win-loss record.

Niño Belande scattered 26 points and 17 rebounds but to no avail as Supportsave saw its five-game winning streak come to a screeching halt.

In the other games, the Teleperformance All-Stars upended the ePerformax Reds, 80-61, while the Author Solutions Hardbacks eased past the 1&1 Marauders, 58-53.

Marcos Genteli Jungoy III had 13 points, while Gamaliel Bas and Karlo Rafael Miñoza each scored 10 as Teleperformance stayed at second in the Elite Classic with a 5-1 win-loss card. Eperformax, led by Mel Steven Duran with 16 points and seven rebounds, suffered its third setback against only one win.

The Hardbacks drew 21 points combined from Armalon Fernandez and Benjamin Anthony Mosquera in nailing their second victory in five games, while the Marauders fell to 1-4. — EBV (FREEMAN)