CEBU, Philippines — The KNM & Toxic Wheels Batch 1988 and Cebu Lucky Machinery, Inc. Batch 2001 got off to the best possible starts they could in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association s 17th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup on Saturday, March 2, at the CEC Gym.
Man mountain Richard Yu bulldozed his way to 15 points, while Rey Kenneth Ng, Gregorio Aguilar, Robert Lim, and John Philip Po connived for 33 points as Batch 88 dominated the match from start to finish to open its title campaign in Division A on a bright note.
Alfred Reyes fired a game-high 23 points while CECABA President Joel Chan tallied 14 markers but their efforts went down the drain for Batch 85.
In Division B, Batch 2001 smothered Chanieka Hardware Batch 2000, 65-45, thanks to the one-two combo of Aylwin Ong and Paul Gabatan who netted 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Batch 2001 trailed early on, 7-9, but countered with a explosive 20-7 rally in the second period to seize a double-digit edge at halftime, 27-16, for good.
Batch 2000 pulled within seven after three quarters, but Batch 2001 closed the match with a decisive 26-13 run to come up with a 20-point blowout.
Reniel Pe and Michael Lloyd Tan cashed in 16 points apiece in a losing effort for Batch 2000.
In other result, Aubrey Ibones dropped 24 points and Allan Uy Quiengco tossed in 18 points to power Alin Customs Brokerage Batch 1997 to a 71-66 beating of Dimsum Frito Batch 2003/2004.
Aljhune Areja erupted for 28 points while Daniel Hayag and Kevin Mamac finished with 23 combined points but to no avail for Batch 2003/2004.