A VIRTUAL non-factor in the first half, Aljhune Areja came alive in the final two quarters of play to lift Batch ’86/90/2000 to a tight 60-58 win over Batch 1987/2000-Vancere Toys last Tuesday in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (Cecaba) 14th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup at the CEC Gym.
Held down to just two points in the first half, Areja exploded for 22 points in the final two stanzas to help Batch ’86/90/2000 bag its second win in three games.
Batch ’87/2000 pounced on its opponent’s lethargic first half and built a sizable 32-18 lead at the bend.
Areja started to work in the third where he scored 10 points as Batch ’86/90/2000 outscored Batch ’87/2000, 16-11.
Areja would score 10 more points in the payoff period, keying a 26-15 run that sealed Batch ’86/90/2000’s come-from-behind win.
Randy Sypongco helped the winning team’s cause by producing 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Harold James Tan piled up 14 points, 17 rebounds, two blocks and an assist, Alfie Miranda Sy netted 12 points and Oliver Boltron had 10 for Barch ’87/2000, which stayed winless after three games.
In the other game, Donald Anthony Ting fired 28 points, Dean Dy Teves collected 15 markers and 16 boards as the duo powered Batch 1995-La Nueva Pharmacy to a one-sided 80-57 triumph over Batch 2006-1st ACY Shipping Corp./Cebu Regal Pension House.
Joseph James Yu contributed 15 points and Edison Ho had 11 for Batch ’95, which improved to 2-1 (win-loss).
Batch 2006, which dropped to 0-2, was led by Weslee Rosello, Jermaine Nuñez and Gino Abella, who combined for 43 points.
BOX SCORES
FIRST GAME
BATCH 86/90/2000 (60)- Areja 22, Sypongco 17, Fabian 8, Alvez 5, Chu 4, So 4.
BATCH 1987/2000 (58)- Tan 14, Miranda Sy 12, Boltron 10, Quilacio 9, Climaco 8, Labadan 3, Lin 2.
SECOND GAME
BATCH 1995 (80)- Ting 28, Dy Teves 15, Yu 15, Ho 11, Gollon 6, Chica 3, Tiu 2.
BATCH 2006 (57)- Rosello 15, Nuñez 15, Abella 13, Tiu 8, R. Tan 4, Go 2.