CEBU, Philippines - The First Family Appliance Circle '96 pulled off a 100-99 squeaker over Jepoy '99 to cap its elimination round campaign in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association's 12th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup last Tuesday night at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
For being the second seed with a 12-3 win-loss record, Class '96 heads into the quarterfinal round with a twice-to-beat incentive over the eight-ranked squad.
Interestingly, Dreyfuss Ang, Franklin Neil Ong and Rex Alinson banged in 21 points each for Class '96, even as they also combined for 24 rebounds, 14 assists and seven steals in a dazzling show of hardcourt versatility.
Gerald Chua added 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Rogelio Donayre and Emmanuel Baron conspired for 17 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and eight steals for Class '96, which survived a 32-point explosion by Class '99 to pull through a cliffhanger.
Clint Christopher Melliza charted a season-high 24 points on top of four rebounds and two assists, while Mark Eugene Bukiron netted 23 points that went along with an all-time high 20 assists, 15 rebounds and two steals.
Bukiron's breakthrough night, however, was spoiled as Class '99 fell to 7-8 and at 10th seed will face the top-ranked New Mellinnium Hardware '95 in the playoffs.
In the other game, Fil-Ann 2009 bade farewell on a winning note courtesy of its 69-54 demolition of Best World Lifestyle 2004.
Joseph Baluyos, Jr. scattered 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Harold James Tan added 17 points, six rebounds and four steals for Class 2009, which ended its bid with a 4-11 win-loss card.
Class 2004, on the other hand, finished as sixth seed to set up a quarterfinal showdown with the twice-to-beat Dewfoam '88 next week.
The scores
First game
Class '96 (100) - Ang 21, Alinson 21, Ong 21, Chua 20, Donayre 9, Baron 8
Class '99 (99) - Melliza 24, Bukiron 23, Sia 14, Miranda Sy 12, Caitor 10, See 8, Lao 8
Second game
Class 2009 (69) - Baluyos 23, HJ Tan 17, Sy 13, Miranda Sy 11, Suazo 3, Tuñacao 2
Class 2004 (54) - Areja 23, Alvez 8, Beltran 6, Co 4, Labastilla 4, Chan 3, Mamac 2, Chu 2, Lim 2 — EBV (FREEMAN)