Class '96 overcomes '99 in OT; now 6-0

Big Boss '96 coasted to its sixth straight victory in as many games after escaping with a 71-67 win in overtime over the gritty Cebu Pacific Transport '99 in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's 8th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup last Sunday at the City Sports Club of Cebu gym.

Rogelio Donayre became the surprise package as Class '96 earned a share of the overall lead with Class '94 on identical 6-0 win-loss cards.

Donayre finished with 19 points on top of six assists, five rebounds, and four steals in a sterling show of hardcourt versatility, while Arnel Frank Pelaez also had 19 points on a 5-of-10 sniping from the field that include a pair of 3-pointers.

It was a very close battle from start to finish that resulted into a 58-all deadlock at the end of the regulation, thus, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra-minute period, Class '96 conjured all the strength it could muster to overpower the tough fighting Class '99.

Genseric Rowie Tan fired season-highs 22 points and 11rebounds, while Lawrence Lauron added 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. The missing link was Ruben Yap Jr., who was handcuffed to only 12 points although he had 11 rebounds, five steals, and three assists for Class '99, which fell to 5-2.

In the second game, flashy guard Ryan Alexis Mendez poured 12 of his 17 points in the third quarter as Asian Home Appliance '89/93 prevailed over the winless Villa Shipping '70s, 67-57.

Rey Kenneth Ng added a season-high 14 points, while Richard Lim chipped in 10 markers for Class '89/93, which upped its win-loss record to 5-1. Class '70s suffered its sixth straight defeat in as many games.

Class '89/93 builed an imposing 21-point bluge at halftime, 32-11, and used it as its shield in rebuffing Class '70s spirited 24-13 run in the wind up.

Nelson Uy cashed in double figures with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Antonio Go added 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in a losing cause.

The scores
First game
Class 1996 (71) - Donayre 19, Pelaez 19, G. Go 8, Ong 5, Babor 5, Ang 5, Baron 4, Renejane 4, Alinson 2
Class 1999 (67) - G. Tan 22, Lauron 14, Yap 12, T. Tan 8, Uy 6, Ang 5 Second game
Class '89/93 (67) - Mendez 17, Ng 14, Lim 10, Tan 8, Lao 7, Chua 4, Chiang 4, E. Ong 2, Lauron 1
Class '70s (57) - N. Uy 18, A. Go 16, Chua 11, Bacalso 10, F. Sy 2