All good things must come to an end.
Defending back-to-back champion Batch 1999/Southchoice Inc. learned this the hard way after they squandered double-digit leads and bowed to Batch 1998/Kaking last Tuesday in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (Cecaba) 15th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup at the CEC Gym.
It was only Batch 1999’s first loss in more than two years after winning two straight titles without tasting a single defeat.
The one-point loss snapped Batch ’99’s amazing 42-game win streak, no thanks to the superb performances of Elvis Evangelista, Rex Millan, Eric So and Santos Chua.
Evangelista finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds, Millan coughed up 20 markers, while So and Chua tallied 20 and 18 respectively.
While snapping Batch ’99’s streak, Batch ’98 is slowly starting to gain momentum as it pocketed its third straight victory after starting the tournament with back-to-back losses.
Mark Bukiron came up with another fine offensive showing but this time failed to save Batch ’99 despite scoring 37 points Earn Saguindel pitched in 16 points and Albert Uy added 14 for Batch ’99, which dropped to 5-1 (win-loss).
Batch ’99 looked headed to pocketing another win when it led by as many as 12 points.
With Batch ’99’s top guns resting, Batch ’98 staged a daring run and wrested the lead in the fourth period.
Batch ’99’s starters returned to the game but Batch ’98 didn’t panic and take a three-point lead, 100-97, with 20 seconds left.
Saguindel had the chance to tie the contest after he was fouled while attempting a three-pointer.
The former University of the East Red Warrior could only make two of the three gift shots, allowing Batch ’98 to escape.
In the other game, Batch 1995/New Millennium Hardware earned a piece of the lead after it tripped CEC-D/Dimsum Frito, 63-55.
Donald Anthony Ting piled up 22 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocked shots as Batch ’95 tied Batch ’99 at the number one spot.
Joseph James Yu contributed 15 markers, while Dean Dy Teves pitched in 17 rebounds, eight points, one steal, one assist and a block. CEC-D, which dropped to 2-3, was led by Tommy Yu’s 17.
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