Convergys annihilates 1&1 in CSCC E-League cagefest

CEBU, Philippines - The Convergys Wolves unleashed a devastating offensive in the first half to blow away the 1&1 Marauders, 74-46, in the continuing action of the Sun Cellular-presented 8th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Kristian Tapic chalked up 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Ellison Rivera added 15 points on top of a season-high seven steals, two rebounds and two assists as Convergys ripped the game apart right after the first 10 minutes of play, 28-14.

Ibhar de Del Mar chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals for Convergys, which took a commanding 44-22 advantage at halftime. Convergys then closed the match with an 17-11 run to seal the 28-point blowout.

Raymond Basañez was the lone double-digit scorer for 1&1 with 15 points on top of five rebounds.

In the other games,Mark Jeffrey Baello had 16 points and Floyd Dean Singco added 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals as the ePerformax Reds slammed the Xlibris Publishers, 66-54, while the Sykes Pioneers escaped with a 70-68 victory over the Lexmark Stallions.

The ePerformax Red trailed by a matchstick after the first period, 13-14, but fired back with a 22-15 blitz in the second canto to turn the tide of the match in its favor at the bend, 35-29. After an even third quarter, ePerformax finished off Xlibris with a 21-15 bang.

Martin Ian de Guzman paced Xlibris with 15 points followed by Sergs Al Go Bui with 13 markers.

On the other hand, Jan O'Niel Sahilan had 16 points, five assists and four steals, while Gerald Bien Galarido and Frederick Montelibano combined for 30 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and three assists for Sykes, which overcame a spirited endgame resistance by Lexmark Stallions.

After taking an early 18-11 lead, Sykes continued to pounce on Lexmark in the next two quarters to post a 14-point advantage, 53-39, heading into the payoff period. Lexmark retaliated with a 29-17 spurt in the windup but Sykes held on to shaky two-point win.

Franco Angelo Cipriano and Mervin Balansag connived for 43 points and 16 rebounds in an explosive one-two bombo, albeit in a losing cause for Lexmark.

The scores

First game

Convergys (74) - Tapic 17, Rivera 15, Del Mar 12, Yam 7, Mora 7, Caparoso 5, Auman 4, Villarin 3, Española 2, Mabanto 2

1&1 (46) - Basañez 15, Santos 8, Bastida 7, Talan 6, Mahilum 6, Buot 2, Rosales 2

Second game

Sykes (70) - Sahilan 16, Galarido 15, Montelibano 15, Diotay 11, Ontal 3, Pal 2, Sultan 2, Te 2, Umabong 2, Lepardo 2  

Lexmark (68) - Cipriano 22, Balansag 21, Pia 7, Ariate 4, Lanzaderas 4, Ofonda 3, Positos 3, Tiempo 2, Saycon 1, Divinagracia 1

Third game

ePerformax (66) - Baello 16, Singco 12, RD Tan 9, Ruiz 8, Benlota 6, Arceo 3, MV Tan 3, Nebria 3, Paredes 2, Agua 2, Alob 2

Xlibris (54) - De Guzman 15, Go Bui 13, Agustin 9, Revantad 5, Tan 3, Callego 2, Moralde 2, Melgar 2, Quirante 2, Salcedo 1. THE FREEMAN