Cokaliong's Shell-backed team notches third win in CECABA

CEBU, Philippines — The Shell-backed Batch 1978/84/89 prevailed over the Central Lumber Corp. Batch 1985, 40-35, in a low-scoring game of the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's 17th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup at CEC's Chiang Kai-shek Gym.

Ryan Alexis Mendez sizzled with 18 points while top gunner Chester Cokaliong and big man Samuel Sia each scored nine as they secured their third win in five starts.

The older graduates were just up by a hairline, 35-34, in the final two minutes when Cokaliong drilled in a crucial 3-pointer that bridged his side to a five-point triumph.

With a 3-2 record, they stayed at second place in Division A.

Batch '85 fell to 0-5 despite drawing 18 points from Alfred Reyes.

On the other hand, Richard Yu and Gregorio Aguilar connived for 31 points as KNM & Toxic Wheels Batch 1988 crushed Foodies Junction Corp. Batch 1970s/82/86, 53-34, to sit comfortably atop the leaderboard with a perfect 6-0 mark.

Osley Daytia netted a game-high 20 points but his efforts went for naught as Batch 70s/82/86 slipped to 1-3.

In Division B, Mark Eugene Bukiron unloaded 25 points while Albert Uy and Eric Cabasa tallied 31 markers in between them as  Fuente Oro Business Suites Batch 1994/99 edged RBER Industrial and Trading Batch 2005, 60-57, to remain on top of the heap with an immaculate 7-0 slate.

Kenneth Lester Ang finished with 14 points while Philip Lua added 12 for Batch 2005, which crashed to its fifth setback against only one victory.

In other match-up, Donald Anthony Ting fired 24 points while Roger Donayre and Dreyfuss Ang added 14 and 13 points, respectively, as Bayfront Hotel Batch 1993/96 pounded Alin Customs Brokerage, 69-50, to keep the third spot with a 4-2 card.

Aubrey Ibones charted 21 points while Richard Luna posted 11 for couldn't prevent Batch 1997 from dropping to 2-5.

Not to be outdone, Rodney Co and Daniel Hayag put up a total of 27 points as Dimsum Frito Batch 2003/2004 improved to 3-4 with a 58-44 drubbing of Cebu Lucky Machinery Batch 2001.

Aylwin Ong and Eric Cabana combined for 25 points but to no avail as Batch 2001 sank to 3-3.

In Division C, Marven Bauya erupted for 29 points while John Lucios Avalon pumped in 16 points as the Northern Star Trading Batch 2011 bested Amorina Cleaning Services Batch 2013, 82-76, for its third victory in five games.

Neil Bracero dumped 22 points and Bernard Aves had 17 points but Batch 2013 still languished at the cellar without a win in seven attempts. — (FREEMAN)