GAA stars upend CECABA five

CEBU, Philippines - The Guadalupe Athletic Association (GAA) hardcourt warriors stymied a decisive fourth quarter run by the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) All-Stars to punch in a 93-85 victory in their exhibition game last Sunday at the Guadalupe Sports Complex.

 The GAA stars of coach Allan Ricana and Dr. Boy Te led by at least 10 points most of the way but could not pull away as the gritty CECABA squad incessantly stayed within striking range. At one point though, GAA posted a 12-point edge, 86-74, with still 5:27 left to play.

CECABA trimmed the deficit down to only six points, 72-78, on a five-point swing by Chester Cokaliong and Edvin Kaw but GAA replied with a 6-0 burst to regain a twin-digit advantage, 84-72, midway in the final period.

Vincent Reyes churned out 17 points for the GAA All-Stars that earned him the MVP award. Joselito Ocampo knocked in 15 points while Bart Minoza and Cabanilla banged in 14 markers apiece.

Joel Chan had 20 points, while Cokaliong netted 19 markers for CECABA mainstays, whose late 7-0 rally enabled them to pull within five points, 85-90. That was the best they could muster.

The scores

GAA (93) - Reyes 17, Ocampo 15, Cabanilla 14, Minoza 14, Te 8, Noel 8, Hernandez 4, Perez 4, Dinampo 3, Bamba 3, Sollano 3, Sasing 2

CECABA (85) - Chan 20, C. Cokaliong 19, W. Yu 17, Kaw 11, R. Yu 8, Cokaliong 4, Lanutan 4, Sia 2 (GGM)   (FREEMAN NEWS)