Cokaliong drops 12 3-pointers as CECABA stars bounce back

CEBU, Philippines - Explosive gunner Chester C. Cokaliong knocked in a dozen 3-pointers of his game-high 38 points to vault the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association All-Stars to an 84-63 rout of the Manila-based Kiao Tiong-Philippine Cultural College Alumni ballclub during their goodwill encounter last Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The resounding win came like a whiff of fresh air for the Easternians after their disappointing 89-93 loss last week to the equally-tough Kiao Ching Athletic Club, champions of the 2012 World Overseas Chinese Veterans Basketball Invitational Tournament held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Just like his 24-point performance against Kiao Ching, Cokaliong was again fuming on the offensive end despite being tightly guarded. This time they did not falter, even having little trouble in manhandling the hapless Kiao Tiong side.

Cokaliong commenced his impeccable outside sniping with three triples each in the first and second quarters to rally CECABA to a 10-point lead, 35-25, at halftime.

After dropping only a pair of treys in the third canto, Cokaliong again waxed hot with four triples in the final 10-minute mark of the contest where CECABA outscored Kiao Tiong, 27-21, to seal the 21-point romp.

For displaying his shooting brilliance once more, Cokaliong went on to receive the 16th All-Star MVP award of his decorated hoop career.

Mark Eugene Bukiron of Batch '99 chipped in 13 markers for CECABA, which chalked up its 22th victory against seven losses and one draw since they figured in highly-competitive exhibition matches in 2002.

Interestingly, CECABA triumphed by such a wide margin despite playing without Richard Yu of Batch '88, Sammy Sia of Batch '84 and Shaun Christopher Wang of Batch '96.

However, Chester's vastly-improved younger brother Christopher Cokaliong of Batch '83 and Dean Dy Teves of Batch '95 gamely stepped on the scoring plate with 17 points combined.

Wilson Carta Yu paced Kiao Tiong with 17 points, while Raffy Alejandro scored 11 in a losing effort.

The scores

CECABA (84) - Ches. Cokaliong 38, Bukiron 13, Chris. Cokaliong 9, Dy Teves 8, Mendez 6, Chan 5, Saguindel 4, Yu 2

Kiao Tiong-PCC Alumni (63) - Carta Yu 17, Alejandro 11, Hapon 8, Ong 4, T. Tan 4, P. Tan 4, Ng 4, J. Walker 3, Kaw 2, Ng Chu 2. (FREEMAN)