Telstra takes Game 1 of EVO League Finals

THE Telstra-Teletech Boomerangs survived the Supportsave Dragons by the skin of their teeth, 84-83, to draw first blood in the EVO League best-of-three finals of the 11th City Sports Club-Cebu (CSC-C) E-League for Basketball last Saturday at the CSC-C Gym.
The Boomerangs took off to a strong start then hung tough when the Dragons went on a rampage in the endgame as they moved a game away from clinching the EVO League crown.
Sam Jordan Hermosa was again in his best element, leading the Boomerangs with 28 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots.
Jasper Diaz also came up with a double-double performance after he fired 16 points and 10 rebounds. Diaz was a defensive monster after he swatted six shots and picked up one steal.
John Rey Jacaban added 15 points, Jaygard Vios contributed 14 markers for the Boomerangs, whose strong  offense catapulted them to a 24-16 lead at the end of the first period.
That eight-point cushion turned out to be critical for Telstra-Teletech, which escaped despite getting outscored in the last three periods.
Another win by the Boomerangs will send them to the Elite Classic playoffs where they will play wildcard qualifier Sykes Pioneers in a sudden-death duel with the victor sent into a gargantuan battle versus the twice-to-beat Lexmark Stallions.
The Dragons fell short despite getting a solid game from Germaine Jo Guarsisma, who erupted for 38 points while adding five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Niño Belande continued to dish out a double-double game as he finished with 17 markers and 13 rebounds albeit in a losing effort