CEBU, Philippines - Stream Ingenyouity and Teletech Titans terminated their respective rivals in contrasting fashion to set up a championship showdown in the Sun Cellular-presented 8th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
Stream Ingenyouity kept its title retention bid in motion after finishing off the Aegis Vipers, 54-51, to bag the Northern Conference crown, while Teletech upended the Sykes Pioneers, 71-60, to lord it over in the Southern bracket.
Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series will begin next week.
Edwin Bibera was Stream's brightest spot finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and two steals in a dazzling show of hardcourt versatility.
Stream actually had a lukewarm start resulting into a 15-point deficit at halftime, 22-37.
Stream, however, woke up from deep offensive slumber in the third period where it staged a sizzling 16-5 rally. It then ended the match with a 16-9 bang to turn the tables on Aegis at the final buzzer.
On the other hand, five players led by Lourenz Limpangog cashed in double figures as Teletech finally knocked the lights off Sykes.
Limpangog netted 19 points on top of nine rebounds and three blocks. Sherwin Anghay added 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals, while Sherwin Emmanuelle Resilla chipped in 14 markers and six rebounds for Teletech, which led all the way after posting a 23-17 edge early on.
Sykes pulled within four points after three quarters, 47-51, but Teletech closed the match with a 20-13 scoring edge.
Edsel Duke Capillanes contibuted 11 points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds for Teletech, while Romeo Pardillo, Jr. donated 10 points.
The scores
First game
Teletech (71) - Limpangog 19, Anghay 15, Resilla 14, Capillanes 11, Pardillo 10, Banua 2
Sykes (60) - Suarez 15, Galarido 13, Sahilan 8, Sultan 8, Diotay 6, Umabong 5, Te 2, Diputado 1, Montelibano 1, Pardenilla 1
Second game
Stream (54) - Bibera 12, Mancao 9, Millevo 9, Arroyo 6, Recla 6, Cajuelan 5, Alquilos 4, Castañeda 3
Aegis (51) - Amarado 15, Escalon 9, Navaja 7, Bas 6, Javier 4, Veloso 4, Yballe 4, Morgia 2 (FREEMAN)