Espada, Lo steal the show as teams triumph in CECABA

Hannah's Cakes and Decors 2004 kept its sizzling run by thrashing the listless Gregoria's Curtains and Trims Haus, 75-63, in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's 8th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup the other night at the City Sports Club of Cebu gym.

Before that, John Brian Lo unloaded 14 of his 26 points in a furious second half assault that vaulted JRJ Enterprises 2000 to a 75-57 rout of Techni-Ice 2001. Lo complimented his big night with a season-high 10 assists, seven rebounds, and two blocks.

After missing their previous game, the razor-sharp Christian Espada announced his return in grand fashion, firing in a game-high 26 points on top of 12 rebounds, four steals and a pair of assists for Class 2004.

Danel Hayag chipped in 15 points, a season-best seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals, while Eliot Emerson Uy added 11 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks as Class 2004 upped its win-loss slate to 5-1.

Class 2004 actually had a lukewarm start that resulted into a 19-20 deficit at the end of the first period, but launched a brave fightback in the succeeding period,25-13, to mount an 11-point edge at the turn, 44-33.

From that point on, Class 2004 smoothly preserved its double-digit lead to hand Class 2005 its fifth straight loss in as many games.

Kent Uy and Philip Lua combined for 37 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists in a losing cause.

In the other game, Lo was heavily backed up by Reneil Peña who had a solid double-double show, banging in season-highs 16 points and 13 rebounds for Class 2000, which scored is second victory in five starts.

Class 2000 trailed by two at halftime, 34-36, but Lo scored 10 in a 16-11 third quarter run in the third quarter that enabled them to wrest the upperhand entering the payoff period, 50-47.

Peña and Michael Lloyd Tan of Class 2000 later joined the fray, pitching in eight points apiece in a devastating 25-10 endgame attack that pulverized Class 2001 into smithereens at the final buzzer.

Paul Martin Gabatan and Marlon Lao each had 11 points for Class 2001, which tasted its fourth defeat against only one win.

The scores

First game

Class 2000 (75) - Lo 26, Peña 16, Kua 9, Tan 8, Chua 8, Ocarol 8

Class 2001 (57) - Liao 15, Lao 11, Gabatan 11, Racal 8, Cabana 8, Ong 4

Second game

Class 2004 (75) - Espada 26, Hayag 15, Uy 11, Areja 8, Co 7, Sypongco 4, Ong 2, Mamac 2

Class 2005 (63) - Lua 19, Uy 18, Tiu 8, Alegado 7, Lee 7, Salibio 2, Yap 2