Dragons, Boomerangs win opener in E-League semis

CEBU, Philippines – The Supportsave Dragons and Telstra-Teletech Boomerangs bested separate foes to draw first blood in the best-of-three semifinals of the 11th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Saturday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Niño Belande sparkled with 32 points and 15 rebounds to power Supportsave to a 77-70 triumph over the Author Solutions, Inc. Hardbacks, while Sam Jordan Hermosa scattered 26 points and 15 rebounds as Telstra escaped past the gritty Kyocera Frontiers, 69-67.

Supportsave and Telstra, thus, moved one win away from setting up a finals showdown for the Evo League title and a chance at challenging the wildcard entry in the Elite Classic.

Belande, who also had four assists and three steals, was backed up by Germaine Jo Guarisma with 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Gerald Mari Baritua added 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and as many steals for the Dragons, which fought steadier after posting a 55-45 lead in the third period to pin down the Hardbacks.

Donald Stephen de Leon topped the Hardbacks with 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, while Armalon Fernandez carded in 14 points and 13 rebounds in a losing effort.

Hermosa, on the other hand, drew huge support from Brennan Gonzales with 13 points, four rebounds and two assists to help Tesltra pull off a two-point squeaker against Kyocera. Jasper Diaz also made his presence felt despite scoring only eight as he hauled 15 rebounds for the Boomerangs.

Junrey Cabarrubias and Ariel Ramonito Edera connived for 31 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and seven steals in a losing stand for the Frontiers. — EBV (FREEMAN)