Lexmark, Aegis into CSCC E-League conference finals

CEBU, Philippines - The Lexmark Stallions and the Aegis Vipers finished off seperate foes to advance into the conference finals of the 9th CSCC E-League for Basketball last Sunday at the City Sports Celub-Cebu gym.

Lexmark consummated a two-game sweep of the Wipro Tigers via a 67-59 decision, while Aegis prevailed over the ePerformax Reds, 82-65, in their knockout Game 3 to book a final ticket in the Nothern Conference against defending champion Stream Ingenyouity, which earlier advanced after booting out the Calltek Trojans.

Franco Angelo Cipriano had a monter double-double show of 18 points and 15 rebounds for Lexmark, which will face next the winner of the Accenture-Sykes series that is currently tied at 1-1 after the Pioneers of Sykes drowned the Sharks in Game 2 of their best-of-three playoffs, 83-74.

Ralph Loren Martinez netted 11 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals, Jake Pia also nailed 11 markers spiked with four rebounds as Lexmark kept Wipro at bay with a 35-25 lead at halftime. The Tigers roared with a 23-10 spurt in the third, but Lexmark ended the match with a 22-11 bang for the kill.

Reinario Salibay, Jr. led Wipro with 16 points followed by Brian Deodoro with 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks in a losing effort.

Aegis, on the other hand, came up with a huge escape over ePerformax behind the concerted efforts of Ryan Veloso, Dean Junber Escalon, James Lester Navaja and Rodulfo Enterina III.

Veloso unloaded 23 points spiked with nine rebounds, two assists and as many steals, while Escalon added 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals for Aegis, which used a strong opening assault and a solid endgame finish to terminate ePerformax.

They led by only five at the break, 40-35, but staged a sizzling 22-10 rally in the windup to pull through a 17-point romp. Navaja and Enterina were the other bright spots for Aegis, combining for 23 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, and three steals.

Robert Gilo and John Alexon Loon paced ePerformax with 19 points each, even as they also conspired for 10 rebounds, five assists and as many steals in a losing cause.

Earlier, Gerald Bien Galarido pumped in 24 points on top of five rebounds as Sykes lived and fight for another day against Accenture.

Frederick Montelibano chipped in 18 points, four rebounds and three assists, Rey Louie Lepardo added 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals for Sykes, which used a devastating 18-4 attack in the first period to rattle Accenture the rest of the way.

It was an admirable teamwork for Sykes, which also drew 12 points, five assists, four steals and two rebounds from Vernie Jose Diotay.

Archie Brian Vincen Batua had 19 points, six rebounds and three steals, while Jasper Lorero scored 18 but their efforts went futile for Accenture. (FREEMAN)