Reds into conference finals; Blue Devils, Wolves and Sharks stay alive

CEBU, Philippines – The ePerformax Reds completed a two-game sweep of the SSI Warriors, 68-48, in their best-of-three series to advance into the Division 2 finals, while sister-teams Blue Devils and Wolves of Convergys as well as the Accenture Sharks lived and fight for another day in the 10th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Just like in their previous meeting, ePerformax had little trouble against SSI. After a tentative showing in the first three quarters where they led by only six points, 38-32, the Reds detonated a devastating 30-16 bomb at the endgame to blow away the Warriors.

John Ryan Benlota had 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Joey Mari de Guzman poured all of his 12 points in the fourth quarter for  ePerformax, which now awaits the winner of the other conference semis duel between the Convergys 2 Blue Devils and the Wipro Tigers. The Blue Devils forged a rubbermatch after gunning down the Tigers in Game 2, 76-61.

After absorbing their first defeat of the season, the Blue Devils came out firing, never allowing the Tigers to recover after they cruised to a blistering 20-9 start. The Blue Devils further pummeled the Tigers in the third period, 16-8, to safely secure a 15-point victory.

Clifford Amarado led a balanced attack by Convergys 2 with 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and as many steals. Lourenz Limpangog and Sherwlin Resilla finished with 13 points, while Roderick Mangubat and Mark Padogdog chipped in 20 points combined.

On the other hand, the Wolves and the Sharks also extended the series against separate foes into its full route. The Wolves lashed back at the Teleperformance Vipers (formerly Aegis), 58-54, while the Sharks bounced back with a 58-45 whacking of the undermanned Lexmark Stallions. Lexmark was without Franco Cipriano (company commitment), Niel Tiempo (suspended for being ejected in game 1), and Jake Pia, who is on sickbay.

Louie Arroyo netted 16 points, three blocks and three assists, while Michael Recla and Joseph Española connived for 21 points, seven rebounds, four steals and four aasists for Convergys 1, which relied on a steady fourth-quarter showing to hold off Teleperformance. Ryan Veloso was the only double-digit scorer for Teleperformance with 17 points, six rebounds, and four steals.

Archie Brian Batua also shone brightly with 17 points, eight rebounds and two steals for Accenture. Batua got huge support from Saeed Quintao with 13 points and nine rebounds as they kept their division final hopes alive. — EBV) (FREEMAN)