CECABA All-Stars take on CDS five

CEBU - On the heels of a resounding out-of-town victory, the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) All-Stars hope to expand their dominance back home when they tackle the Cebu Dental Society (CDS) selection in a friendly, but highly competitive hardcourt showdown this Sunday at the Our Lady of Sacred Parish Gym (also known as Capitol Parish) along Escario Street, this city.

Prolific outside gunner Chester Cokaliong will once again be at the forefront of CECABA’s offensive arsenal.

Since they started playing exhibition games with a 93-77 rout of the Rama Boys led by Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael L. Rama on November 16, 2003, the CECABA starts has compiled an impressive credential of 15 wins, four defeats, and a draw.

In their previous goodwill sojourn, the Easternians demolished LGU Boljoon of Mayor Deogenes “Wargong” R. Derama and Vice Mayor Merlou Derama, 134-104, last October 11 at the full-packed Boljoon Sports and Cultural Center.

As they shoot for their 16th win, Cokaliong needs the support of Sammy Sia (’84), Edwin Kaw (’85), Richard Yu (’88), Wilson Yu (’85), his brother Christopher Cokaliong (’83), and the ageless Zotico Tan (’67).

At the backcourt, the CECABA side can count on the razzle-dazzle tandem of Ryan Alexis Mendez (’89) and Richard Lanutan (’92), who complete the Easternians’ nine-man roster.

CDS, on the other hand, will squeeze the most from Clint ‘Mythical Five’ Bacalla, Gunther “Kuya” Seroy, Oliver ‘D Golden Warrior” Seno, Ryan ‘Man Mountain’ Ceniza, Adrian ‘Magicman’ Arcilla, and Mike ‘Cobra Boy’ Ouano.

They will play alongside Efigenio ‘Crush Ng Bayan’ Evardo, Mark ‘D Netbreaker’ Acorin, Earl ‘D Pearl’ Atundocan, Ferdinand ‘Marcos’ Duke, Jayross ‘Future PBA’ Ceniza, Erwin ‘Heart N Soul’ Valiente, Mitchel ‘1st Lieutenant’ Ursabia, Michael ‘Baron Davis’ Nilo, Lemuel ‘Secret Weapon’ Sanchez, and Felipe ‘Prince of Leyte’ Kabugoy.

The CECABA stalwarts couldn’t take their foes lightly because aside from clinching the Cebu Inter-Dental cage title, CDS is also the reigning national champion in the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) basketball tilt.

Prior to the game proper, some side events will be contested including the free throw shooting competition, 2-ball contest, and the 3-point shootout individual category.

All eyes will definitely be focused on the sharp-shooting Cokaliong, the CECABA founder and highly-esteemed league organizer who is gunning for the 19th 3-point king crown, 13th 2-ball championship, and third free-throw shooting title in his decorated hoop career that spanned for a decade now. – EBV (THE FREEMAN)