DEFENDING back-to-back champion Batch 1999/Southchoice Inc. and CEC-A/ACY Shipping/Koi Herbal advanced to the semifinal round by downing their respective quarterfinal opponents in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (Cecaba) 15th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup at the CEC Gym last Saturday.
The top-ranked Batch ’99 brought down fourth seed CEC C/ATS Aljhune Tinsmith/NST Rubbers, 101-93, while second-seeded CEC C dispatched the third-ranked CEC D/Dimsum Frito, 75-61.
Batch ’99 and CEC A both enjoyed twice-to-beat edges in the separate series.
Batch ’99 played its top big man Mark Bukiron but Earn Saguindel was there to carry the load as he put on a stellar offensive show and torched CEC-C with 48 points.
Saguindel, a former University of the East Red Warrior, also added nine rebounds, five assist and three steals.
Albert Uy added 17 points for Batch ’99.
Joseph Aljhune Areja and Kevin Mamac led CEC C with 24 points, while Mar Genesis Quisagan pitched in 21 markers.
Juan Carlo Espada, on the other hand, fired 22 points to power CEC, which also drew 16, 12 and 10 markers from Raymark Ong, Gino Abella and Paul Cabellon, respectively.
Benson Siao topped CEC D with 14 markers, Tommy Yu chipped 12, Jim Paul Yankee donated 12 and Judd Veneracion dropped 10 markers.