Convergys, Teleperformance win in E-League semis opener

CEBU, Philippines – The Convergys Converters and Teleperformance All Stars drew first blood against separate foes in the best-of-three Elite Classic semifinals of the 11th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Saturday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Kenneth Dysam sparkled with 16 points as the Converters whipped the Lexmark Stallions, 60-43, while Ryan Veloso banged in 14 points laced with seven rebounds and three assists  to lift Teleperformance past the Accenture Sharks, 85-81.

Sherwin Resilla churned out 13 points, 13 rebounds and four steals for the Converters. Franz Dione Dysam added 12 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists for the Converters, who used a devastating third-quarter attack to overhaul a 22-31 deficit at halftime and eventually pummel the Stallions. In that stretch, they held Lexmark to an all-time low one point, while torching 25 points to change the course of the match in their favor.

Sylvester Millevo paced Lexmark with 12 points and five rebounds followed by Franco Angelo Cipriano with 11 points and 11 rebounds in a losing cause.

On the other hand, James Lester Navaja tossed in 13 points, five rebounds and three blocks for Teleperformance. Dean Junber Escalon finished with a dozen markers for the All Stars, who dictated the pace of the match since taking an early 23-20 lead. They sustained their momentum the rest of the way to scrape through a four-point victory.

Archie Batua and Ildefonso Bulangis, Jr. conspired for 47 points, 20 rebounds, 11 assists and four steals but their efforts proved futile for Accenture.— EBV (FREEMAN)