Convergys 1, Lexmark advance to conference semis

CEBU, Philippines – The Convergys 1 Wolves and the Lexmark Stallions terminated their respective foes to advance into the conference semifinals of the 10th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Saturday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Louie Arroyo had 20 points and seven rebounds as Convergys 1 handed the 1&1 Marauders their exit slip via a 69-60 decision, while Lexmark advanced the easy way courtesy of a masterful 73-50 demolition of the hapless Supportsave Dragons.

The Wolves actually had a lukewarm start and even trailed by six points at halftime, 28--34, but changed the course of the match in its favor using a 22-14 rally in the third period. They then closed the match with a 19-12 blitz to proceed into the next stage of the tournament without any glitch.

Admir Batiancila chipped in 14 points, five rebounds and three assists for Convergys 1, while Rex Benjie Saje added 10 points, seven  rebounds and twp steals. Jan Isiah Gabest paced 1&1 with 12 points, while Jude Lorenz Camposo and Argiel Fernandez each score 10 in their final game of the season.

Unlike Convergys 1, Lexmark had little trouble against Supporsave. The Stallions led by only four after the first 10 minutes of play, 15-11, but  unloaded a devastating 27-5 bomb in the second canto to tear the game apart at halftime, 40-18. They further rattled the Dragons with a 20-14 run in the third to come up with a 23-point romp.

Niel Tiempo paced Lexmark with 14 points and three rebounds, while Vill Duero and Edwin Bibera banged in 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

On the other hand, the ASI Hardbacks and Kyocera Frontiers stunned their higher-ranked foes to live and fight for another day.

ASI forged a rubbermatch against the twice-to-beat Wipro Tigers after pulling off a 64-62 squeaker, while Kyocera also stayed alive after edging out the SSI Warriors in overtime also by 64-62 decision.

Ellison Rivera had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists for ASI, which banked on a sizzling rally in the middle quarters, 35-22,to shackle Wipro. Franz Martinez had a double-double show of 19 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort for Wipro.

In a scintillating performance, Ariel Ramonito Edera cashed in 20 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and as many assists and steals to power Kyocera past SSI. Edera got huge backing from Junrey Cabbarubias and Winston Stephen Panal with 23 points combined.

Lawrence Daven Agas topped SSI with 26 points and five rebounds, but got support only from Robert Espinoza with 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.— EBV) (FREEMAN)