Stream edges ePerformax in CSCC E-League cage

CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion Stream Ingenyouity waded through rough waters before fending off the ePerformax Reds, 53-51, in the continuing action of the Sun Cellular-presented 8th CCSC E-League men's basketball tournament at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Sylvester Millevo, who made history last season for sweeping the Rookie of the Year and regular season MVP awards, lived up to his lofty billing after cashing in a game-high 18 points on top of three steals and the same number of rebounds.

Dino Flores added 10 points and five rebounds for Stream, which trailed for most of the way until it found its offensive bearing in the endgame to turn the tables on ePerformax.

Down by nine after the first period, 6-15, Stream toiled hard in the next two quarters to pull within just five points, 40-45.

Stream then outgunned and outfoxed ePerformax in the final canto, 13-6 to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.

Floyd Dean Singco paced ePerformax with 11 points, while Rius Anthony Agua each scored 10 in a losing effort.

In the other games, the Teleperformance Lions rode on a sizzling opening attack, 21-7, to demolish the Eli Global Underdogs, 74-50, while the Xlibris Publishers followed the same script in their 86-45 massacre of the Executive Boutique Lycans.

Marco Antonio Real banged in 21 points, seven assists and five steals for Teleperformance, which futher clobbered Eli Global in the last quarter, 28-13, to ice the 24-point romp. Ryan Zear Lauro paced Eli Global with 23 points followed by Jesus Ricarde with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Sergs Al Go Bui, on the other hand, exploded with a season-high 28 points as Xlibris did not give Executive Boutique any fighting chance since posting a comfortable 45-21 lead at halftime. Xlibris kept on pounding on the Lycans in the final half to come up with a 41-point blowout.

The scores

First game

Teleperformance (74) - Real 21, Beltran 10, Coronado 8, Rivera 7, Senas 6, Bacayo 6, Petallo 6, Padigos 4, Lamela 3, Abella 3

Eli Global (50) - Lauro 23, Ricarde 14, Pobre 6, Perez 5, Bartulin 2

Second game

Xlibris (86) - Go Bui 28, Salcedo 9, AY Tan 9, V. Tan 9, Tangalin 8, Melgar 7, Colmenares 5, Daradal 5, Revantad 4, Moraled 2 

Executive Boutique (45) - Hilvano 16, Almonte 9, Barrientos 7, Vertuzado 7, Vale 2, Conejos 2, Daumar 2

Third game

Stream (53) - Millevo 18, Flores 10, Mancao 8, Arroyo 5, Recla 4, Castañeda 4, Galicia 2, Alquilos 2, 

ePerformax (51) - Singco 11, Agua 10, RD Tan 10, MV Tan 6, Nebria 6, Ruiz 4, Epe 2, Cedeño 2. — THE FREEMAN