DEFENDING champion Batch 1999-BMC Hospital Systems/Hainanese Delights started slow but finished strong to defeat Batch 2007-Chef Chang, 60-54, last Thursday in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (Cecaba) 14th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup at the CEC Gym.
Batch 1999 solidified its hold of the number one spot in the team standings, staying as the only unbeaten team left in the 14-team field with its eighth straight win.
Ruben Yap Jr. collected 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one steal, Mark Bukiron piled up 16 markers, 11 rebounds, three steals and a steal, while Earn Saguindel tallied 10 points, 10 boards, seven assists and two steals in Batch 1999’s 26th straight victory dating back to the previous season.
Juan Carlo Espada wound up with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Ruben Chu had 12 points for Batch 2007, which tasted its third loss in eight games.
Meanwhile, Batch 1995/La Nueva Pharmacy easily earned its seventh in nine games following a default win over Batch 2005-Headway Motorcycle Hub.
Batch 2005, which only had three available players, slid to 1-9 (win-loss).