Henkel Philippines ’95 and Petrogas ’92 lashed back at their respective for to forge a deciding Game 3 in the division finals of the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association’s 9th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup on Friday night at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
Class ’95 overcame a spirited endgame resistance by Hannah’s Cakes and Decors 2004 to pull off a 74-71 victory and even their best-of-three Division II finals series at one game apiece, while Class ’92 spanked Dewfoam ’88, 49-42, to force a rubbermatch in their own race-to-2 duel for the Division I crown.
Expect a suspense-filled action as the four teams collide again in a pair of knockout match tomorrow night still at the same venue, with the winners setting up a best-of-three title showdown for the regular CECABA 2007 season championship.
Dean Dy Teves and Erwin Ong each had 17 points followed by Joseph James Yu and Raymond Gollon with 23 points combined for Class ’95, which dictated the tempo of the match from the outset to post a double-digit lead, 59-49, heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest.
Class 2004 countered with a 22-15 rally in the windup but time wasn’t on its side. Christian Espada paced Class 2004 with 22 points, while Danel Hayag added 19 markers. Aljhune Areja donated 17 points in a losing cause.
Earlier, Ryan Ordes carded in 13 points, while Richard Lanutan and Mitchel Diputado each had 12 markers as Class ’92 raced to a sizzling 14-5 start.
Class ’88 rallied back in the middle quarters, 25-19, to trim the deficit down to only three points, 30-33, but Class ’92 played tough in the closing minutes of the game to stay alive and fight for another day.
Gregorio Aguilar topped Class ’88 with 16 points but had little support offensively from the rest of his teammates save for man mountain Richard Yu with 12 markers.
The scores
First game
Class ’92 (49) - Ordes 13, Lanutan 12, Diputado 12, Lim 4, W. Yu 4, Ngo 2, Kong 2
Class ’88 (42) - Aguilar 16, R. Yu 12, P. Lim 5, Villamor 4, Ng 2, Ong 2, R. Lim 1
Second game
Class ’95 (74) - Dy Teves 17, Ong 17, J. Yu 12, Gollon 11, Ting 8, Gue 4, Chica 3, Tan Bon Thong 2
Class 2004 (71) - Espada 22, hayag 19, Areja 17, Co 10, Mamac 2, Uy 1— EBV