CEBU, Philippines - Eperformax unleashed a fierce third-quarter rally to turn back Lexmark, 62-54, and secure a quarterfinal ticket in the 5th Inter-BPO Basketball Championship last Saturday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
Lexmark opened the game with a 19-5 bang. Lexmark was still up by 10 points at halftime, 30-20, but Eperformax responded with a blistering 23-5 rally in the third quarter to change the course of the match in its favor, 43-35, heading into the final stretch.
Raymond Dennis Tan finished with a team-high 17 points for Eperformax, which will face Aegis People Support in the next round.
In the other game, Qualfon overpowered the twice-to-beat Convergys in their quarterfinal showdown, 58-45. They will clash anew, with the winner advancing into the semis.
Jopher Regidor showed the way for Qualfon with 13 points, while Glenn Mangubat and Benjamin John Sanchez chipped in 22 points combined.
Marc Pajo was the lone double-digit scorer for Convergys with 14 points.
The scores
First game
Eperformax (62) - Tan 17, Visoc 9, Agua 8, Boncalon 8, Gabisay 6, Sayre 5, Nebria 4, Helvano 3, Arrieta 2
Lexmark (54) - Morin 17, Torrepalma 12, Villaluz 10, Chiong 4, Vallega 3, Sabuga 2, Obeso 2, Quilaton 2, Villahermosa 2
Second game
Qualfon (58) - Regidor 13, Mangubat 12, Sanchez 10, Redulosis 6, Borgonia 6, Llesol 6, Caballero 3, Andone 2
Convergys (45) - Pajo 14, Codilla 8, Esteban 6, Delapena 4, Goricho 4, Sugatan 4, Ngo 3, Villarin 2 – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)