Cokaliong Shipping, CEPBA start strong in Executive Cup

CEBU, Philippines - Cokaliong Shipping Lines (CSL) and the Cebu Executives and Professionals Basketball Association (CEPBA) scored opening day wins Friday night at the start of the Seniors’ Executive Cup 2011 at the City Sports Club Cebu.

CSL went to the pair of Julius Gastador and team owner Chester Cokaliong to upend the Mandaue Jaycees, 91-70, while CEPBA overcame an endgame threat to outlast Club Monday, 82-73.

CSL leaned on a big third-quarter to break open a close game, leaning on Gastador’s 17 third quarter points to pull away from a slim 39-37 halftime edge and take a commanding 64-51 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Cokaliong took over in the fourth period with four of his nine triples that thwarted the Jaycees’ rally. The first two periods were close with both sides overcoming opening day jitters for the tournament which was last played in 2005.

But the Mandaue Jaycees paid dearly for being undermanned as CSL stepped it up in the second half. Cokaliong and Gastador had 27 and 26 points, respectively, with Opel Cabaltera adding 17. Edgar Colina led Mandaue Jaycees with 18.

In the other game, CEPBA displayed percentage basketball and a balanced offense in a game where it led all the way and overcame the repeated surges of Club Monday.

CEPBA started out hot, taking a 23-15 lead after one quarter but Club Monday came back to cut the lead to 36-32 at halftime. CEPBA regained the momentum in the third period, 61-54, then fended off Club Monday’s fourth quarter rally for the win.

Club Monday cut the lead to 75-71, but Bong Begontes replied with a triple to stop the rally. CEPBA had four players in double digits led by Jussac Arong’s 20 points.

Cesar Ortega, who dominated the paint, scattered 18 points while Enrico Espinosa drilled 16 including four triples.

Danny de los Santos led Club Monday with 26 points as Joshua Alguno had 14.

The Seniors’ Executive Cup 2011, a tournament for players 35 years old and above, is a revival of the original Executive Cup of 2003-2005 and Pacman Cup of 2007.

The other teams playing are B-Meg/San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) and Cebu Uptown Jaycees/RC Goldline.