Lexmark wins South crown, to face Aegis in CSCC E-League Finals

CEBU, Philippines - The Lexmark Stallions used a decisive third-quarter attack to subdue the Accenture Sharks, 70-63, in the deciding match of their best-of-three series to clinch the Southern Conference crown of  the 9th CSCC E-League for Basketball last Saturday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Lexmark, thus, will take no North champs Aegis Vipers in the regular season championship, which is also a best-of-three affair beginning November. Game 2 is set on November 9, while Game 3, if necessary, is slated on November 10.

Franco Angelo Cipriano had 17 points laced with 11 rebounds and three steals for Lexmark, which actually had a lukewarm start resulting into an eight-point deficit at halftime, 32-24.

Lexmark, however, countered with a blistering 26-11 rally to turn the tide of the match in its favor, 50-33 heading into the final 10-minute zone of the contest.

Lexmark then deftly neutralized Accenture's offensive in the windup to scrape through a seven-point win.

Cipriano was heavily backed up by Niel Tiempo and Siegfred Ofonda with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Regular season MVP and Rookie of the Year awardee Archie Brian Batua returned from injury, but could not lift up his team finishing only with 10 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

Jasper Loreto topped Accenture with 14 points followed by Ryan Edward Llanos with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in a losing cause. (FREEMAN)