CECABA All-Stars fire back: Outsmart SCBHABA in Game 2 to forge rubbermatch

With their backs against the wall, the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) All-Stars conjured all the strength they could muster to lash back at San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA)-M. Lhuillier, 73-69, and forge a rubbermatch in their best-of-three 2006 Executives Cup basketball finals.

Thus, expect the City Sports Club-Cebu Gym to be transformed into a suspense theater as the CECABA All-Stars and SCBHABA collide anew in knockout Game 3 at 7:30 tonight to settle one and for all who will take home the coveted championship.

Prolific outside gunner Chester Cokaliong and husky guard Joel Chan provided the deadly one-two punch that helped the Pilipinas Shell-backed CECABA All-Stars dispell their three-game jinx to SCBHABA this season.

Cokaliong, CECABA All-Stars consistent leading scorer, topscored with 19 points spiked with six 3-pointers, half of which shielded CECABA All-Stars from a fierce fightback by SCBHABA in the second half.

Chan, however, who copped the game MVP honors with his spectacular triple-double output of 15 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. It was a sweet redemption for Chan after scoring only five in the series opener.

The CECABA stalwarts nearly flirted with disaster as it allowed SCBHABA to close in at 59-62 after leading by as much as 17 points early in the second quarter.

Cokaliong, however, doused cold water on SCBHABA's blistering run by knocking in his sixth and last triple of the night that gave CECABA of coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug a 65-59 breather.

Afterwards, the SCBHABA bench was slapped with a technical foul for excessive complaining and Cokaliong split his charities to make it 66-59 for the Easternians.

Still, the stubborn SCBHABA cagers refused to roll down and just die as they threatened at 71-69 on three consecutive triples by Paul Abais and Jonathan Diaz in the closing seconds of the game.

In the return play, steady forward Wilson Yu was fouled by SCBHABA top pointman Edwin Banaag in an attempt to stop the clock. To the delight of his teammates, Yu showed iron nerves in converting two free throws to ice CECABA's hard-earned triumph.

Aside from W. Yu who had seven points, six rebounds and two assists, also worth mentioning for was CECABA All-Stars ace playmaker Erwin "Tornado" Yu who was literally everywhere to finish with 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Abais topped SCBHABA with 22 points, eight rebounds and two assists, but got only help from Dindo Sausa with 10 points and 10 rebounds. For the first time, Banaag emerged as the team's lowest scorer after being held off to only three points. - EBV