1999/BMC Hospital Systems-Hainanese Delights completes undefeated season

BATCH 1999/BMC Hospital Systems-Hainanese Delights successfully defended its crown, a feat that was made even more special after it completed another unbeaten season in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (Cecaba) 14th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup.

After a blowout win in Game 1, Batch 1999 came up yet another easy win in Game 2, dominating Batch 1990s/2001-AJL Surplus, 84-68, to sweep their best-of-three championship showdown last Saturday at the CEC Gym.

In what has been a magnificent run, Batch 1999 is now 37-0 (win-loss), never tasting a single defeat since its title run last year where it won all of its 19 games.

After scoring 28 points in their 81-53 Game 1 win, Mark Bukiron was in his usual dominant form as he fired a game-high 30 points while adding seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.

As usual, Earn Saguindel, the former UE Red Warrior, was steady, finishing with 24 points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals. Troy Tan and Albert Yap Jr. also scored in twin digits for Batch 1999 with 12 and 11 markers, respectively.

Batch 1999 actually started slow, allowing Batch 1990s/2001 to take an 18-13 lead after the first quarter. The champions imposed themselves in the middle periods where they outscored their opponent, 52-26, to take full control of the match.

It didn’t help for Batch 1990s/2001 that its leading scorer Paul Martin Gabatan was held down to his lowest output in the season after scoring just 10.

Tommy Yu paced the losing team with 16 points, while Peter dela Torre and Norman Lopez contributed 15 and 14, respectively.

THE SCORES
BATCH 1999 (84)- Bukiron 30, Saguindel 24, Tan 12, Yap 11, Lauron 5, Dabatos 2.
CEC D (68)- Yu 16, Dela Torrre 15, Lopez 14, Gabatan 10, Lao 7, Go 5, Co 1./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA