DEFENDING champion Batch 1999/BMC Hospital Systems-Hainanese Delights posted a 101-86 win over Batch 1990s/2001-AJL Surplus in a preview of this year’s championship match as the semifinal round of the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (Cecaba) 14th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup came to a close last Tuesday at the CEC Gym.
Batch 1999 cruised to its 35th straight victory and remained unbeaten since its title run last year.
Earn Saguindel paced the defending champions with 33 points, while Mark Bukiron added 28 markers. Albert Uy contributed 21 points.
With a championship seat all locked up, Batch 1990s/2001decided to rest its top guns Paul Martin Gabatan, Tommy Yu and Peter dela Torre.
Norman Lopez and Ryan Racal led the squad with 25 points apiece. Kevin Co scored 22 and Marlon Lao pitched in 10.
Batch 1999 and Batch 1990s/2001 begin their best-of-three titular showdown tonight at the same venue.
In the other non-bearing game, Batch 1995-La Nueva Pharmacy pulled off a 144-136 double-overtime win over Batch 1996-Blakeley’s Motorcare.
Donald Anthony topped Batch 1995 with a whopping 56 points. He was backed by Raymond Gollon, Joseph James Yu, Dean Dy Teves and Romy Chica who wound up with 28, 21, 19 and 15 markers, respectively.
Rex Allinson finished with 36 points for Batch 1996, while Dreyfuss Ang and Shaun Wang added 23 each. Rogelio Donayre Jr. contributed 14 markers, Brian Patiño added 13 and Bryan Renejane netted 12.