Cokaliong carves another CECABA milestone

CEBU, Philippines – Hardcourt star Chester C. Cokaliong inserted another milestone in his inch-thick of shining credential as he claimed his fourth straight title in the 2-ball competition of the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA).

Cokaliong, a highly explosive 3-point gunner from Class ’78, bagged his first 2-ball crown in 2006 with teammate Joselito Lee. He then swept the last three editions of the annual event from 2007 to 2009 with Wilty Yap as partner.

In last Sunday’s 11th CECABA Shootout, Cokaliong and Yap finished just fourth in the elimination with only 26 points combined. However, they bounced back with aplomb in the final round, drilling in a contest-high 49 points to complete the big turnaround.

Rex Millan and Paul Timothy So of Class ’98-A copped the first runner-up honors with 37 points, just a point ahead of Kenneth Ang and Philip John Lua of Class 2005. Shaun Christopher Wang and Rex Alinson of Class ’96 wound up fourth with 21 points.

It would have been a double historic feat for Cokaliong, but he fell short of a grandslam finish in the 3-point shootout. He topped the elimination round, but could only score 10 points in a tie with Henrich Chua of Class ’87 in the finals. He edged out Chua in the playoff, 16-13, to settle for a decent third place.

Juan Borromeo, Jr. of Class ’91 and Philip John Lua were also tied in the championship round with 12 points. Borromeo went on to frustrate Lua by the narrowest of margins in the playoff, 15-14, to clinch the 3-point king diadem.

On the other hand, Erick Andrew So, Paul Timothy So, Manuel Lim, Rex Millan and Warren Yu of Class ’98-A dominated the team category followed by Gerald Chua, Rex Alinson, Arniel Frank Pelaez, Rogelio Donayre, and Shaun Christopher Wang of Class ’96. Cokaliong, Nelson Palomas, Edvin Kaw, Lloyd Tio, and Wilty Yap of Class ’78/85 landed at third.

In free throw shooting, Henrich Chua of Class ’87 emerged as champion, while Nelson Palomas of Class ’78/85 and Rogelio Donayre of Class ’96 occupied the second and third spots, respectively. — EBV (THE FREEMAN)