Lexmark makes it 3-0; ePerformax nails first win in CSCC E-League

CEBU, Philippines – The Lexmark Stallions galloped to their third victory in a row, while the ePerformax Reds finally barged into the win column in the Elite Classic of the 11th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Franco Angelo Cirpriano had 14 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in Lexmark's 77-61 rout of the Wipro Tigers, while Mel Steven Duran churned out 20 points on top of nine rebounds and four steals as ePerformax upstaged the Sykes Pioneers, 73-62, to snap out of its two-game jinx.

Sylvester Millevo also finished with 14 points spiked with five steals, four rebounds and two assists, while Vill Duero and Jan Oneil Sahilan chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Stallions, who raced to a 15-8 start.

After a cold second-quarter showing, the Stallions shot back to life, launching a decisive 26-11 attack to send the Tigers reeling the rest of the way. Clifford Amarado was the lone bright spot with 16 points for the Tigers, who suffered their second loss in three starts.

On the other hand, Duran drew huge support from Angellan Visco, who banged in 18 points and seven rebounds for the Reds. After trailing by three at the end of the first period, 11-14, ePerformax used a 22-13 rally to change the course of the match in its favor.

Vernie Jose Diotay and Randolf Espinosa connived for 26 points but could not prevent Sykes from absorbing its second setback in three games.

In the Evo League, Justin Jay de la Cruz charted 14 points as the Author Solutions Hardbacks bested the Calltek Trojans, 61-45, while Junrey Cabarrubias erupted with 27 points laced with seven steals and four rebounds to rally the Krocera Frontiers to a 75-49 whacking of the skidding Teletech Titans.

Sergs Al Go Bui and Armalon Fernandez each scored 10 for the Hardbacks, who nailed their first win after a 0-2 start while dealing the Trojans their third loss against only one win.

Ariel Ramonito Edera added 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and five steals, while Winston Stephen Panal had 13 points and nine rebounds as the Frontiers bettered their win-loss record to 3-1. The Titants, who crashed to 1-4, were led by Jonas Concepcion with 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and as many steals. — EBV (FREEMAN)