CECABA hands UBC first loss

The Shell-sponsored Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (CECABA) conquered the previously undefeated MS Motosuit-Unity Basketball Club (UBC), 82-71, to keep its semifinal hopes alive in the 1st MP Cup Invitational on Friday night at the City Sports Club-Cebu Gym.

Ace slotman Richard Yu, Edvin Kaw, and Ryan Alexis Mendez combined for 20 points in the fourth period to dash MS Motosuit’s comeback hopes and stave off CECABA from outright elimination.

CECABA’s win allowed Team Pacman of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao to take the temporary lead in Bracket A with a 6-1 win-loss record. UBC slide to second with a 5-1 slate followed by CECABA with a 6-2 win-loss mark.

Yu scattered 17 of his topscoring 18 points in the final half, while Kaw and Mendez chipped in 14 and 12 markers, respectively. Top hitman Chester Cokaliong scored all his 12 points from the 3-point land, including back-to-back hits that broke the 28-all deadlock and gave CECABA a six-point headway at the break, 34-28.

The CECABA mainstays were never threatened from there and enjoyed their biggest lead of 14 points, 80-66, with less than two minutes left to play.

Sammy Sia chipped in 10 points for CECABA, which hardly felt the ice-cold night of Mitchel Diputado, who was hobbled by foul trouble and was held off to a season-low four points.

Rey Gonzaga posted a season-best 28 points, while Geryl Bukiron and Lopesino Bontia connived for 21 points, but their efforts proved futila as MS Motosuit-UBC of sports patron Lou Ornopia saw its five-game winning streak come to a sudden red stop.