Sykes mauls GGS; Xerox makes rousing E-League debut

CEBU, Philippines - The Sykes Pioneers spared no mercy in their 84-24 massacre of the debuting GGS Information Services Griffins in the 10th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Interestingly, only Ricardo Masiglat Jr. cashed in double figures for Sykes despite its 60-point blowout of the league newcomer. Masiglat finished with 13 points laced with three steals.

Sykes did not give GGS any breathing space after ripping the game apart early on, 25-7. They held off  GGS to only four points in the second quarter, then trampled their hapless foes in the final half, 36-13, to record what is by far the most lopsided win this season.

Ricci Lee Comendador was the lone bright spot for GGS with 10 points on top of five rebounds.

The other results saw the Xerox Knights pulling off a 57-56 cliffhanger over the Author Solutions, Inc. (ASI) Hardbacks and the Teleperformance Kings reigning supreme over the Telstra Boomerangs, 78-69.

The Knights actually trailed by nine points at halftime, 26-35, but staged a courageous fightback in the remaining two quarters to baffle the Hardbacks at the final buzzer.

Earvin Ferrarin almost single-handedly carry Xerox to a rousing E-League debut with 28 points, eight rebounds and five assists. He was ably backed up by Jason Rosafa with 13 points and five rebounds.

Sergs Al Go Bui and Martin Ian de Guzman led ASI with 15 points each, even as they combined for eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals in a losing cause.

On the other hand, Marco Antonio Real topscored for Teleperformance with 29 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals.

Scepter John Roda banged in 16 points and seven rebounds, while Raymond San Juan added 10 points, five steals, four assists and as many steals for Teleperformance, which dictated the tempo of the match after jumping off to a hot 21-9 start.

Teleperformance was outscored by Telstra in the second period, 13-18, but neutralized the offense of their rivals in the final half to come through a nine-point victory.

Ryan Paul Abordonado paced Telstra with 19 points spiked with four rebounds, three assists and as many steals, while Venzi Verallo carded in 15 points.

Meanwhile, the SSI Warriors were penalized and forfeited their game against the Kyocera Frontiers for showing up with only four uniformed players – a violation of the league rules – during the opening ceremony last June 1.  (FREEMAN)