Jennis Lim glitters as '96 keeps clean slate

Jennis "Yao Ming" Lim has all the reasons to celebrate.

Lim incited a fierce first quarter attack and then breached the 1,000-point mark as Big Boss '96 melted Techni-Ice 2001, 96-85, to keep its unbeaten record intact 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.

Lim, who was nearly perfect from the field making 9-of-10 attempts, poured in 16 of his 18 points in an early 36-25 burst that set the tempo of the match for Class '96. He went on to become the league's 30th member of the elite club.

Dreyfuss Ang also had his share of the limelight after topscoring with a season-high 28 points on top of six assists and five rebounds, while Gerald Go added 12 points, eight rebounds, and six assists as Class '96 fortified its hold of the overall lead with an unblemished 7-0 slate.

Class '96 padded its lead to 20 points after three quarters, 78-58, and never wilted under a renewed challenge put up by Class 2001 in the closing minutes of the game to stay as the only undefeated squad this season, so far.

Eric Cabana, and Marlon Lao all came up with a solid double-double show, but fell short in the end as Class 2001 suffered its sixth defeat against only two wins.

Cabana had 30 points and 15 rebounds, while Lao added 20 points and 11 caroms. Paul Martin Gabatan unloaded 13 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds in a losing cause.

In the other game, Hannah's Cakes and Decors 2004 went back to business in style as it massacred Juvis Marketing 2003, 82-50, for its sixth victory in eight starts.

Class 2004 mounted a 14-point advantage at halftime, 42-28, and things only got better for the team as it detonated a devastating 26-7 bomb in the windup to crush Class 2003 into shreds at the final buzzer.

Christian Espada was in his usual deadly form, finishing with 27 points on top of 16 rebounds for Class 2004, while Danel Hayag provided an able backing with 15 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Aljhune Areja added 14 points and Emmanuel Chan chipped in 10.

Joey Catipay was the only bright spot for Class 2003 with 22 points on top of 15 rebounds. No other player scored in double figures as Class 2003 remained winless in six games.

The scores

First game

Class 1996 (96) - Ang 28, Lim 18, G. Go 12, Baron 9, Donayre 8, Ong 7, Renejane 6, Pelaez 4, Wang 4

Class 2001 (85) - Cabana 30, Lao 20, Gabatan 13, Liao 12, Macias 6, Yaun 4

Second game

Class 2004 (82) - Espada 27, Hayag 15, Areja 14, Chan 10, Uy 8, Sy 4, Mamac 2, Alves 2

Class 2003 (50) - Catipay 22, H. Tan 9, Yankee 5, Siao 5, Y. Tan 5, Ang 2, Uy 2