Shell ‘80s pulls crucial win against Dimsum Frito 2003

CEBU, Philippines - Shell '80s pulled off a crucial victory over the gritty Dimsum Frito 2003, 65-57, to keep its hopes of a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinal stage alive in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's 12th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup last Thursday evening at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Stephen Tan charted 21 points on top of six rebounds and two steals as Class '80s solidified its hold of the fifth spot with a 10-4 win-loss record, a full game ahead of its victim.

Top gunner Chester Cokaliong banged in 16 points and a four rebounds spiced with two meaningful triples, one gave Shell '80s its biggest lead at nine points, 45-36, midway in the third period. Cokaliong's fourth and final triple of the night sealed the deal for the Shell-backed squad.

It was a heard-earned triumph for Class '80s, with Class 2003 enjoying a 53-50 edge early in the fourth quarter.

Shell '80s, however, charged back with a sizzling 10-0 run to gain a seven-point headway, 60-53, and in the process sent Class 2003 reeling the rest of the way.

Wilson Yu contributed 10 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Joel Chan scored only nine, but again worked doubly hard for Class '80s with eight rebounds and seven assists. Joey Catipay paced Class 2003 with 14 points, three steals, two rebounds and two blocks, while Calvin Ang added 11 points, three rebounds and two steals but their efforts went for naught as they slipped to 9-4.

In the other game, Rogelio Donayre had 20 points, six steals, three assists and two rebounds as the First Family Appliance Circle '96 escaped with a 62-59 win over Young Builders '91.

Shaun Christopher Wang added 15 points and a season-high 17 rebounds, while Mark Ryan Babor donated 10 markers and pulled down the same number of rebounds for Class '96, which tallied its 11th win in 13 starts.

Juan Borromeo, Jr. cashed in 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Peter de la Torre finished with 18 points and four rebounds but they could not prevent Class '91 from absorbing its ninth loss in a dozen  games.

The scores

First game

Class '80s (65) - S. Tan 21, Ches. Cokaliong 16, Yu 10, Chan 9, Chris. Cokaliong 6, S. Co 3

Class 2003 (57) - Catipay 14, Ang 11, C. Siao 8, Yankee 7, Veneracion 6, Uy 4, Lague 3, Cuizon 3, H. Tan 1

Second game

Class '96 (62) - Donayre 20, Wang 15, Babor 10, Alinson 7, Ang 6, Baron 4

Class '91 (59) - Borromeo 22, De la Torre 18, Yu 9, Go 4, Lim 4, Co 2 (FREEMAN)