Welcoat 2004 paints second straight CECABA victory

Welcoat Paints 2004 unleashed a crippling first-quarter attack and used it as a buffer to whack JV Bakeshop ’99, 83-54, in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association’s 10th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup on Friday night at the CEC Gym.

Danel Hayag lit up Class 2004’s offense with a season-high 27 points on top of five rebounds, for assists and two steals, while tag partner Christian Espada was as sharp as ever, finishing with 20 points nine rebounds, four steals and three assists as they coasted to their second straight win in as many games.

Hayag and Espada connived for 17 points in their deadly opening 24-7  barrage. Class ’99 never recovered from there.

The two protagonists fought on even terms in the second period. After the short break, Class 2004 dropped another devastating 24-12 bomb to virtually put the win in its bag, 59-36, entering the final quarter.

Troy Symington Tan cashed in 14 points and 10 rebounds followed by Alain Lao with 13 markers on top of nine caroms, but they were helpless in preventing Class ’99 from absorbing its second straight defeat.

 In the other game, league newcomer JRJ Enterprises 2007 recorded its first ever victory in CECABA at the expense of JV Bakeshop 2002, 45-37.

Class 2007 trailed by four at the end of the third period, 26-30, but held off Class 2002 to only seven points in the final 10 minutes of the contest while scoring 19 to pull the rug from under the JV Bakeshop-backed squad.

Raymark Ryan Ong tossed in half of his team-high 16 points in a tide-turning rally in the windup. He also plucked down six rebounds and dished out two assists.Juan Carlo Espada donated 12 points, four rebounds and the same number of assists for Class 2007.

David Chan was the lone bright spot for Class 2002 with 16 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. He also had two steals and a block, but his big bight was spoiled as they tasted their second loss in three starts.

The scores

First game

Class 2004 (83) - Hayag 27, Espada 20, Areja 9, Sy 6, Alvez 5, Chan 5, Co 5, Mamac 2, Syponco 2, Uy 2

Class ’99 (54) - T. Tan 14, Lao 13, Ang 7, Lim 5, Yu 4, Baladya 4, See 3, Dabatos 2, R. Tan 2

Second game

Class 2007 (45) - Ong 16, Espada 12, Quimbo 9, Chua 4, Haw 2,Dy 1, Keh 1

Class 2002 (37) - Chan 16, Sy 6, Codilla 6, Longno 4, Macias 3, Uy 2 — EBV