CEBU, Philippines - The Accenture Sharks lashed back at the Lexmark Stallions, 75-64, to forge a rubbermatch in their best-of-three Southern Conference finals in the 9th CSCC E-League for Basketball last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
Accenture played sans Archie Brian Vincent Batua, who is still on sickbay, but it hardly mattered as several others stepped up bigtime for the Sharks led by Ryan Edward Llanos with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Jasper Loreto chipped in 18 markers spiked with four steals, three assists and as many rebounds, while Jonathan Abesia finished with 13 points, three rebounds, two blocks and two assist for Accenture, which was in full control of the match from start to finish.
After closing the first half with a 37-32 advantage, Accenture sustained its momentum to pad its lead to 11 points, 56-45, going into the final 10 minutes mark of the contest.
Ildefonso Bulangis, Jr. scored only seven for Accenture but still deserved an honorable mention after pulling down 15 points, dishing out 11 assists and picking up six steals in a spectacular show of hardcourt brilliance.
Niel Tiempo paced Lexmark with 19 points and eight rebounds followed by Ralph Loren Martinez with 11 markers on top of three assists.
Accenture and Lexmark will figure in a knockout match next week, with the winner earning the right to face the Northern Conference titlist Aegis Vipers for the overall season championship. (FREEMAN)