Stream, Lexmark, ePerformax draw first blood in CSCC E-League playoffs

CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion Stream Ingenyouity shackled the Calltek Trojans, 71-54, while the Lexmark Stallions and ePerformax Reds also hurdled their opening assignents in the best-of-three playoffs of the 9th CSCC E-League for Basketball last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Joselito Aranda had 17 points, five rebounds and as many assists and steals for Stream, which did not give Calltek any breathing room after racing to a hot 21-10 start. Stream toned down in the middle quarters but regained its offensive bearing in the final period to come up with a 17-point romp.

Sylvester Millero was held scoreless but it did not matter for Stream as Ivan Cres de la Torre and Angelo Lucero stepped up bigtime. De la Torre cashed in 17 points, two rebounds and two steals, while Lucero nailed 16 markers laced with seven rebounds and two steals.

Mark Louise Gellez fired 25 points on top of six rebounds and two steals, but his singular offensive outburst did not bring any good for Calltek.

In the other games, Lexmark pounded its way to a 64-56 win over the Wipro Tigers, while ePerformax scraped through an 80-76 decision over the Aegis Vipers.

Jake Pia scored 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals, Niel Tempo netted 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Siegfred Ofonda added 11 points and six rebounds for Lexmark, which used a 17-7 punch at the endgame to knock Wipro down. Ernie Eric Ygot was the lone bright spot for Wipro with 23 points, four rebounds and two blocks.

Romel John Ferrero Lawas, on the other hand, paced ePerformax with 21 points, three rebounds and two assists. Patrick Anthony Ybañez chipped in 14 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Robert Gilo contributed 13 points and nine rebounds for ePerformax, which rode on a steady showing in the windup to weather a spirited challenge by Aegis all throughout the 40-minute skirmish.

Rodulfo Enterina III had 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and steals for Aegis. Ryan Veloso scattered 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Frederic Yballe carded in 11 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists in a losing effort. (FREEMAN)