Erwin Yu the hero as Class '88 nips '67/83 in CECABA hoop

Crafty playmaker Erwin Yu scored on a layup with six seconds left in the game to help Dewfoam '88 pull a nerve-wracking 50-49 win over the stubborn Chester Enterprises '67/83 in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's 8th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup on Thursday at the City Sports Club of Cebu gym.

Still reeling from a frustrating setback to Class '84/87, Class '67/83 suffered another sorry loss as it led by seven points, 47-40, entering the final two-minute zone of the contest.

But the succeeding events turned out to be a disaster for the Chester Enterprises-backed squad as Class '88 fired a solid 8-0 blast to grab the driver's seat, 48-47.

The ageless Zotico Tan replied with a jumper to put Class '67/83 back in front, 49-48.

With 36 ticks remaining before the final buzzer, Class '67/83 had several chances to pad its lead, but failed to deliver when it mattered most. After Edwin Lim missed his attempt, Christopher Cokaliong grabbed the offensive rebounds, but his follow-up shot was swatted away by Melton Dy.

Erwin Yu was later fouled with 13 seconds to go in the game, but flubbed his twin gift shots. Fortunately, Class '88 pulled down the offensive rebound and then quickly passed the ball to the driving Erwin Yu for the game-clincher.

Man mountain Richard Yu flashed his deadly old form, topscoring for Class '88 with 16 points on top of a season-best 22 rebounds. Erwin Yu added 12 points, four steals, three assists, and three rebounds, while Rey Kenneth Ng added 11 markers and four rebounds as they improved to 5-1.

After a dismal showing in their previous game, Zotico Tan bounced back with a game-high 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Stephen Tan added 12 markers for Class '67/83, which fell to 2-4.

In the other game, Young Builders '91 feasted on the absence of top center Warren William Yu and shooting guard Jorgen Kong to demolish Asia Surplus and Tires '92, 73-58.

Class '91 led only by four after three quarters, 49-45, but Juan Borromeo Jr., John Joel Lim, and Peter Michael de la Torres masterminded a blistering 24-13 run at the endgame to finish off Class '92.

Borromeo cashed in a solid double double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, Tommy Yu added 15 points, and Lim had 11 as Class '91 notch its fourth win in six starts.

In the absence of W. Yu and Kong, Mitchel Diputado stepped up bigtime, netting in 20 points on top of 14 rebounds, while Ryan Ordes had 18 points and eight rebounds in his first game of the season but couldn't make an impact as Class '92 slipped to 2-4.

The scores

First game

Class 1988 (50) - R. Yu 16, E. Yu 12, Ng 11, P. Lim 5, Dy 4, Villamor 2

Class '67/83 (49) - Z. Tan 21, S. Tan 12, Calagos 6, Lim 4, Ting 4, Cokaliong 2

Second game

Class 1991 (73) - Borromeo 17, T. Yu 15, Lim 13, Co 10, De la Torre 6, E. Go 5, C. Go 3, Ty 2, Teson 2

Class 1992 (58) - Diputado 20, Ordes 18, Lanutan 8, Ngo 4, Tan 2, Soco 2, Dy 1, Albano 1