THE DEFENDING champions Convergys Converters and the Lexmark Stallions survived two do-or-die matches to arrange a championship date in the Elite Classic of the 12th City Sports Club-Cebu (CSC-C) E-League for Basketball at the CSC-C Gym, last Sunday.
The Converters booked their second straight finals appearance by topping the Accenture Sharks, 62-56, while the Stallions reached the title round for the second time in three years by pulling off a tight 72-69 win over last year’s losing finalist Teleperformance All Stars.
Convergys and Lexmark wrapped up the separate best-of-three series, 2-1, and will take on each other in another race-to-two duel for the Elite Classic crown.
It was a disappointing finish for Accenture and Teleperformance, which bungled two chances of making it to the title round.
The Sharks drew first blood against the Converters, 62-60, while the All Stars scored their own Game 1 victory versus the Stallions, 64-60.
Convergys, however, forced a rubbermatch when it dumped Accenture in Game 2, 70-47, while Lexmark pulled off its own season-saving win by tripping Teleperformance in their second meeting, 60-51.
Last Sunday, Franz Dysam unloaded 21 points to lead Convergys, Kenneth Dysam and Jaime Pacquiao added 13 and 10, respectively. Sherwin Emmanuelle Resilla only had eight points but put in 10 rebounds, four steals, a block and an assist.
Ryan Edward Llanos, Archie Brian Batua and Junas Marion Misa led the Sharks with 17, 15 and 12 markers, respectively.
Lexmark, on the other hand, used a balanced attack to survive Telepeformance with Siegfred Ofonda, Franco Angelo Cipriano, Michael Recla, Villo Duero and Sylvester Millevo all finishing in double figures for a combined 60 points.
James Lester Navaja led the All Stars with 14 points.