Core Pacific marches into SHAABAA playoffs undefeated

CEBU, Philippines — The Core Pacific Group maintained its perfect start with a 92-54 thrashing of Yangtze Ice in the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Season 27 over the weekend at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles Arena in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

SHAABAA Chairman Afshin Ghassemi cashed in 19 points on top of six rebounds and two steals while Jeremy Ryan Huang added 18 points, one rebound, two assists, and three steals as Core Pacific advanced to the playoffs as top seed in Division A with an immaculate record.

Pierre Mella and Dave Lim stole part of the show with double-doubles.

Mella finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Lim had 10 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block for Core Pacific, which detonated a devastating 30-7 bomb in the second quarter to rip the game apart.

Comfortably ahead at halftime, 51-30, Core Pacific sustained its hot charge the rest of the way to come up with a 38-point blowout.

Nanding Lim and Elpedio Go each scored 16 even as they also combined for 17 rebounds, six assists, and three steals for Yangtze Ice. Bimbo Tequillo netted 15 points, four rebounds, and two assists in a losing effort.

In the other Division A duel, GMall of Cebu obliterated the Magis Medical Fund, 105-53, to take the second spot going into the Final Four with a 3-1 win-loss mark.

Derick Mangubat led five GMall players in double figures with 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, and four steals.

Tonyson Lee and Mark both posted a double-double. Lee tallied 18 markers laced with 12 rebounds while Sy delivered 16 points and 13 rebounds for GMall, which was in complete control of match after getting off to a blistering 23-8 start.

Neil Elumba and Paulsen Uy also made their presence felt for GMall with 23 points in between them. — (FREEMAN)