AFTER 24 games spanning close to two seasons, no one has come near to cracking this team’s aura of invincibility.
Defending champion Batch 1999-BMC Hospital Systems/Hainanese Delights continued its rampage, prevailing in a battle of unbeaten teams last Saturday to stay perfect in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (Cecaba) 14th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup at the CEC Gym.
Batch ‘99 dismantled Batch ‘80s/‘90s/2011-Koi Herbal, 68-57, to stretch its amazing winning streak to 24 and stay unbeaten since winning all of its 19 games in the last season.
As usual, Mark Bukiron and Earn Saguindel were at the forefront of Batch ‘99’s rampage with the former firing 29 points and the latter scattering 16 markers, five rebounds and four assists.
Albert Uy chipped 11 points for Batch ‘99, which is now the lone remaining unbeaten team in the league with 5-0 (win-loss) slate.
Stephen Tan finished with 15 points, Paul Cabellon scored 11 and Sammy Sia tallied 10 markers and nine rebounds for Batch ’80s/‘90s/2011, which lost for the first time in five games.
Meanwhile, Batch ’90s/2001-AJL Surplus, currently the second-hottest team in the league, snagged its fifth straight victory by thumping Batch 2003-Dimsum Frito, 88-71.
Paul Martin Gabatan sustained his fiery form, leading Batch ‘90s/2001 with 28 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and a steal.
Peter dela Torre fired 19 points, Ryan Racal posted 18 markers, while Tommy Yu scored 14 in a collective effort that pushed Batch ’90s/2001 to the second spot in the team standings with a 5-1 record.
Calvin Ang piled 17 points, Judd Veneracion had 15, Gwynn Uy netted 14 and Stephen Delit added 11 but Batch 2003 remained winless after five starts.
BOX SCORES
FIRST GAME
BATCH 1999 (68)- Bukiron 29, Saguindel 16, Uy 11, Lao 6, Balila 4, Miranda Sy 2.
CEC A (57)- S. Tan 15, Cabellon 11, Sia 10, Avalon 6, Sypongco 4, Chan 4, Go 4, Z. Tan 3.
SECOND GAME
CEC D (88)- Gabatan 28, Dela Torre 19, Racal 18, T. Yu 14, Lao 4, Lopiz 3, Go 2.
BATCH 2003 (71)- Ang 17, Veneracion 15, Uy 14, Delit 11, Ceniza 6, Cuizon 6, Siao 2./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA