CECABA cagers to battle SHABA selection Sunday

The Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CEBABA) 35-year-old and above mainstays will plunge back into hardcourt action, this time against their Sacred Heart Alumni Basketball Association (SHABA) counterparts in a goodwill encounter starting at 2 pm on Sunday at the City Sports Club of Cebu gym.

The CECABA stars will try to extend their impressive win-loss record to 18-4 since they started accepting invitations for exhibition matches in late 2002.

As expected, dreaded streak-shooter Chester Cokaliong will lead the CECABA's charge as they try to ride on the momentum of their previous victory over the Don Bosco-Cebu Alumni Basketball Association Batch '97 last June 19.

Playing alongside Cokaliong are CEC legend Zotico "Tuco" Tan, Joven Cimafranca, Christopher Cokaliong, Samuel Sia, Edvin Kaw, Joel Chan, Wilson Yu, Henrich Chua, Kerwin Lim and Melton Dy.

Forming the core of SHABA roster are Hilton Lim, Jojo Veloso, Lyndon Acusar, Neil Carcel, Stephen Yap, Ariston Lee, James Go, Jun Divinagracia, Kerwin Siao, Lindy Lim, Eric Casas, Galvin Lim and Neil Lim.

Several skills challenge will precede the game that include the 3-point shootout, 2-ball contest and the free throw shooting competition.

Cokaliong is gunning for his eighth 3-point king crown. He and Zotico Tan will seek for their third consecutive title in the 2-ball contest. They won their first 2-ball title against Punta Princesa selection and the second one against Don Bosco '97 in record-establishing fashion pinned on their 52-point output.

Cokaliong also aims for the first ever free throw shooting plum in his career. His previous best was a first runner-up finish to Don Bosco '97's Erwin Gica last month.

Among those tipped to challenge Cokaliong for the 3-point shootout diadem are fellow Easternians, one-time champion Henrich Chua and three-time titlist Sammy Sia, and SHABA's Neil Carcel, Galvin Lim and 2002 Inter-Alumni 3-point king Eric Casas.

The rest of the competitors in the 2-ball contest are Hilton Lim/Lyndo Acusar, Jun Divinagracia/James Go and Neil Carcel/Lindy Lim of SHABA and Henrich Chua/Christopher Cokaliong and Sammy Sia/Joven Cimafranca of CECABA.

Aside from Cokaliong, vying for the free throw shooting championship are Zotico Tan and Henrich Chua of CECABA and Galvin Lim, Hilton Lim and Eric Casas of SHABA.