Teletech cruises into CSCC E-League conference finals

CEBU, Philippines – The Teletech Titans completed a two-game sweep of the Lexmark Stallions with a 79-68 victory last Sunday to march into the conference finals of the Sun Cellular-presented 8th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

In the other games, the Convergys Wolves lived and fight for another day after lashing back at defending champion Stream Ingenyouity, 57-44, while the Sykes Pioneers drew first blood over Odusee Rooz, 68-56, in their own best-of-three duel.

Unlike in their previous encounter, the Titans had to bank on a furious final half attack to finish off the Stallions. They were ahead by just a matchstick at the bend, 36-35, but rallied in the third period, 21-12, to take full control the rest of the way.

The ever explosive Sherwin Emanuelle Resilla paced Teletech with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks, while Lourenz Limpangog chipped in 18 markers.

Convergys, on the other hand, had found great success after holding off Stream's main man and reigning MVP Sylvester Millevo to a season-low two points.

Not only that, Convergys completely shut down Stream's offense, with Benjie Mancao as the only one cashing in doubles figures with 13 points for the losing side.

Ellison Rivera pumped in 20 points on top of six rebounds and two steals for Convergys, which led all the way after getting off to a 14-6 start. Convergys further ripped the game apart using an 18-9 run in the third quarter.

In the other game, Reggy Sultan had 12 points and six rebounds for Sykes, which never looked back after posting an early 21-11 lead on the way to move a win away from advancing into the conference semis. Sultan was ably backed up by Jan O'Neil Sahilan with 10 points, six assists and four steals.

The scores

First game

Sykes (68) - Sultan 12, Sahilan 10, Castañares 8, Diputado 8, Montelibano 7, Suarez 7, Lepardo 6, Diotay 5, Umabong 3, Te 2

Odusee (56) - Cabilino 16, Abrantes 15, Abellanosa 7, Downey 6, Cadiz 5, Degoro 3, Igot 2, Macaraya 2

Second game

Convergys (57) - Rivera 20, Tapic 8, Auman 8, Loyola 4, Cleopas 4, Yam 3, Cipres 3, Mabanto 2, Mora 2,

Rebalde 2, Villarin 1

Stream (44) - Mancao 13, Bibera 8, Alquilos 6, Arroyo 5, Quintana 5, Arroyo 5, Recla 3, Millevo 2

Third game

Teletech (79) - Resilla 19, Limpangog 18, Yulo 9, Anghay 7, Romulo 7, Quianzon 5, Escuarfdo 4, Pardillo 3, Capillanes 3, Banua 2 Mata 2

Lexmark (68) - Balansag 23, Cipriano 18, Talan 8, Pia 6, Ofonda 4, Divinagracia 4, Lanzaderas 3, Torrepalma 2— EBV  (THE FREEMAN)