Uptown Jaycees takes top spot

CEBU, Philippines -  The Metro Cebu Uptown Jaycees/RC Goldline took the top spot of the Seniors’ Executive Cup via a clean sweep with a 106-89 win over Cokaliong Shipping Lines at the City Sports Club Cebu. Blowing hot and cold throughout the game, the Jaycees leaned on the balanced scoring attack of their deep bench to earn the top rank going into today’s semifinals.

Starting hot, the Jaycees went up 33-22 after one quarter, but Cokaliong Shipping Lines came back to cut the lead to two, 50-48 at halftime. Cokaliong’s rally would tie the game in the third quarter before the Jaycees would slowly but surely pull away, then break the game wide open in the payoff period.

Lito Navarro and Rene Toring had six points each in the third quarter to give the Jaycees a 77-67 lead while Carlos Porras and Montoy Singson had eight points each to take over in the fourth quarter.

Robert Abasolo, who had 15 points by halftime, led the Jaycees with 19. Toring added 17. The Jaycees asserted its firepower, with six players scoring in double digits.

Julius Gastador led Cokaliong with 28 points, while Chester Cokaliong and Opel Cabaltera had 17 points apiece.

The Jaycees, thus, ended the classification phase as the top team with a 5-0 record while Cokaliong (3-2) grabbed the second seed via goal difference as it was tied with #3 B-Meg/SCBHABA and #4 CEPBA. The Jaycees and Cokaliong will have a twice-to-beat edge in the playoffs where the Jaycees face CEPBA and Cokaliong matches up against B-Meg/SCBHABA.

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. It’s supported by Cherifer Premium.  (FREEMAN)