The Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) All-Stars, skippered by Chester “Mr. 3 Points” Cokaliong, seek to add more collection to their decorated trophy case as they take on the USJ-R Padres Recoletos in a goodwill encounter at 2 pm this Sunday at the City Sports-Club Cebu gym.
The CECABA stars are eyeing to improve the 13-4-1 win-loss-draw record they compiled since they actively involved in exhibition games six years ago. The last time they lost was against the Punta Princesa Sports Association (PPSA) selection, 73-78, on June 12, 2005.
But the last time they figured in a hardcourt war on December 16 last year, the CECABA stars made a strong statement by hacking out an 89-69 demolition of the United Architects Basketball Club (UABC) of Alan G. Choachuy.
This time, Cokaliong will be playing alongside his brother Christopher, the 2008 CECABA Most Improved Player, Zotico Tan, Resil Yu, Samuel Sia, Edvin Kaw, Wilson Yu, Richard Yu, Gregorio Aguilar, and Ryan Alexis Mendez.
They will clash with the Padres Recoletos bannered by Fr. Anthony Morillo, OAR, the current president of the University of San Jose-Recoletos.
Completing the roster of the dribbling Recoletos priests are Amadeo Lucero, Charlito Orobia, Fray Raymund Alcedo, Joseph Dexter Palagtiosa, Roland Cepe, Urbano Galanido, Rouel Sia, Emil Almayo, Allan Cabatian, Jorge Peligro, Constantino Real, Hernando Coja, Ferdinand Fornilos, Julius Marcos, and Joel Naranja.
The USJ-R Padres Recoletos swept the Central Command cagers in their three-game series earlier this year. They did the same against their Manila counterparts last year, manifesting they are no pushovers.
Before the hardcourt hostilities, there will be shooting competitions – 3-point, free throw and 2-ball.
Cokaliong is gunning for his 19th 3-point king title in his career. He will be challenged by Ryan Mendez, Amadeo Lucero, Anthony Morillo, Samuel Sia, and Dexter Palagtiosa.
In the 2-ball contest, Cokaliong is shooting for his 12th crown overall and his second straight with his brother Christopher as partner. The other 2-ball entries are Edvin Kaw/Ryan Mendez, Urbano Galanido/Charlito Orobia, Allan Cabatian/Emil Almayo, Sammy Sia/Zotico Tan, and Joel Naranja/Rouel Sia.
The free-throw shootout will kick off the day’s action, with Cokaliong gunning for his third title. He will contend against Zotico Tan, Jorge Peligro, Roland Cepe, Samuel Sia, and Fray Raymund Alcedo.