CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion Stream Ingenyouity and Convergys Wolves ousted their respective rivals to proceed into the conference semifinals, while the Odusee Rooz lived and fight for another day in the Sun Cellular-presented 8th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
Stream kept its title retention bid in motion after terminating the Qualfon Knights, 75-54, while Convergys advanced after booting out the 1&1 Marauders, 100-69.
Reigning MVP Sylvester Millevo netted 13 points on top of five rebounds and three assists for Stream, which used a second-quarter rally to offset a lukewarm start.
After a 17-all deadlock at the end of the first period, Stream made a 18-11 run to take a 35-28 lead at halftime. It was cruise control for Stream from thereon, outscoring Qualfon in the final two quarters, 40-26, to come up with a 21-point blowout.
Like Stream, Convergys met little resistance in its 31-point demolition of the hapless 1&1.
Ellison Rivera erupted with 26 points, 11 rebounds and three assists as Convergys raced to a sizzling 23-12 start.
Convergys closed the half with a 43-27 advantage and then further pounded 1&1 in the third canto, 41-15, for an imposing 84-42 bulge that rendered the Marauders' 27-16 rally in the final stretch irrelevant.
Rivera was heavily backed up by Emmanuel Auman with a solid double-double show of 18 points and a dozen caroms.
The biggest story of the day, however, was submitted by Odusee following its 15-point romp of the twice-to-beat Accenture Sharks, 91-76.
The two quads, thus, will meet anew in a sudden-death duel on August 25, with the winner storming in the semifinal round.
Kenneth Abrantes almost single-handedly carry Odusee to victory with 38 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals in a spectacular show of hardcourt brilliance.
Earl Abellanosa added 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Michael Cadiz torched 11 markers and hauled 10 rebounds for Odusee, which was in complete command of the match after taking an early 21-15 lead.
The scores
First game
Convergys (100) - Rivera 26, Auman 18, Mabanto 10, Villarin 9, Tapic 8, Mora 7, Cipres 7, Cleopas 6, De Leon 5, Caparoso 4
1&1 (69) - Santos 17, Basanez 14, Timagos 10, Andrino 9, Rosales 6, Ralloma 4, Camposo 3, Nuneza 2, Cuizon 2, Andrino 2
Second game
Odusee (91) - Abrantes 38, Abellanosa 12, Cadiz 11, Cabilino 9, Igot 8, Downey 4, Degoro 4, Cue 3, Macaraya 2
Accenture (76) - Loreto 16, Ong 14, Llanos 13, Suerte 12, Saballa 7, Baguio 4, Buligan 4, Natavio 3, Tamboboy 3
Third game
Stream (75) - Millevo 13, Galicia 9, Castaneda 8, Ratilla 7, Bibera 7, Recla 6, Alquilos 5, Lucero 5, Mancao 4, Cajuelan 4, Quintana 4, Egay 3
Qualfon (54) - Jacaban 14, Enriquez 10, Barbon 8, Perez 8, Gelbolingo 6, Operiano 5, Edano 3