Club Monday, SCBHABA bounce back in EC hoop

Last year's losing finalist Club Monday and San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) bounced back from previous defeats in sterling fashion in the 2005 Executive's Cup basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club of Cebu gym.

Club Monday breathe fire all throughout the 40-minute skirmish highlighted by a devastating third quarter run to dismantle the listed Sacred Heart Alumni Basketball Association (SHABA) selection, 92-73, while SCBHABA unleashed a furious attack in the first half to bomb out the Jaycees Basketball Association (JBA), 100-71.

Andres Seno, Jr. tossed in 22 points and six rebounds before cooling off in the final canto when the outcome has already been decided, while Demosthenes Alfeche added 13 markers, six rebounds, three assists and three steals for Club Monday's first win of the season.

After taking a 14-point lead at halftime, 44-30, the spirited Club Monday standouts eventually knocked out the SHABA selection with a 33-18 spurt that saw them enjoying a comfortable 77-48 edge entering the final 10 minutes of play.

SHABA responded with a 25-15 blast, but that was the best it could muster as it fell to its second straight in as many games.

In the other game, Edwin Banaag topped SCBHABA with 18 points on top of eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals in an all-around show, Dean Wong finished with 11 and six rebounds, while Jone Sepe and Clive Monsanto chipped in 10 points apiece in a commendable show of team effort.

SCBHABA opened the game with a 32-11 bang and then launched a 27-16 blitz in the second canto to mount a lofty 59-27 bulge at the break that sent the hapless JBA cagers wobbling the rest of the way.

After scoring nine points at the end of the first half, SCBHABA's top hitman Paul Abais did not suit up in the game anymore cognizing that their second victory in three starts was already in their bag.

Archie Coros had a game-high 27 points on top of six rebounds, but got only help from Peter Michael Sta. Maria with 12 points as JBA slipped to 0-2.

The scores

First game

Club Monday (92) - Seno 22, Alfeche 13, Fontanoza 9, Reyes 8, Fernandez 6, Macasero 6, Sepe 6, Tabucanon 6, Monterroyo 5, Bantolinao 4, Halili 3, Del Mar 2, Nardo 2

SHABA (73) - G. Lim 15, Lee 12, P. Lim 9, H. Lim 8, Carcel 8, Tan 7, N. Lim 6, Casas 5, Chua 3

Second game

SCBHABA (100) - Banaag 18, Wong 11, Sepe 10, Monsanto 10, Abais 9, Pua 9, Ramos 8, Gelbolingo 7, Diaz 7, Diaz 6, Amores 5

JBA (71) - Seno 27, P. Sta. Maria 12, C. Sta. Maria 8, Purcia 6, Balbuena 4, Chua 2, Ferrer 2, Germano 2, Lin 2, Te 2, Toledo 2, Tongco 2.