CEBU, Philippines - The Odusee Rooz, Lexmark Stallions and ePerformax Reds yanked out separate rivals to march into the conference semifinals of the Sun Cellular-presented 8th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Saturday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
Kenneth Robert Abrantes sparkled with 24 points on top of seven rebounds as Odusee Rooz eliminated the Accenture Sharks in convincing fashion, 84-65.
Lexmark nipped SSI Pure Science,71-61, to also advance into the next stage of the tournament along with ePerformax, which booted out the Kyocera Frontiers, 53-48.
Michael Cadiz added 17 points and Reuben James Cabilino scored 16 as Odusee kept Accenture at bay after mounting a 13-point advantage at halftime, 38-25.
Odusee, however, faces a tall order as it goes up next the second-ranked Sykes Pioneers in the best-of-three Southern Conference semifinals starting next week.
Lexmark and ePerformax also brace for an uphill to climb as they square off against the top-seeded Teletech Titans and Aegis Vipers, respectively.
The other semifinal pairing features the defending champion Stream Ingenyouity against the Convergys Wolves.
The scores
First game
Lexmark (71) - Balansag 13, Cipriano 11, Divinagracia 8, Pia 8, Lanzaderas 7, Talan 5, Positos 4, Villaluz 4, Torrepalma 3, Tiempo 2, Armamento 2, Ofonda 2, Quimno,
SSI (61) - Agas 13, Peliño 12, Tomakin 9, Gabutin 7, Poquita 4, Rivera 4, Mercado 4, Lacsamana 3, Ardiente 3, Campaña 2
Second game
ePerformax (53) - Singco 19, RD Tan 10, Ruiz 8, Arceo 6, Agua 4, Nebria 3, MV Tan 3
Kyocera (48) - Edera 14, Cabiles 11, Cabarrubias 4, Uy 4, Navarro 4, Bacolod 3, Olores 3, Rodriguez 3, Daniel 2
Third game
Odusee (84) - Abrantes 24, Cadiz 17, Cabilino 16, Abellanosa 13, Downey 7, Igot 5, Gemao 2
Accenture (65) - Orat 18, Loreto 15, Abesia 11, Llanos 6, Delavin 5, Fabio 2, Lachica 2, Natavio 2, Saballa 2, Suerte 2 (FREEMAN)