Aegis, Cebu Global turn back foes in CSCC E-League

CEBU, Philippines - The Aegis Vipers and Cebu Global Warriors both overcame a sluggish start to turn back their respective foes in the Sun Cellular-presented 8th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Clifford Amarado scored 22 points and dished out five assists as Aegis trounced the Calltek Trojans, 71-57, while Cebu Global banked on the awesome threesome of Jose Magdadaro, Rowen Tagalog and Jay Paradiang to pummel the Teleperformance Lions, 85-70.

Dean Junber Escalon added 15 points, three assists and three steals for Aegis, which got off to a lukewarm start resulting into an eight-point deficit, 10-18, at the end of the first period.

Aegis still trailed at halftime, 33-36, but retaliated with a devastating 22-6 rally in the third period to change the course of the match in its favor, 55-42, heading into the final minutes. Calltek couldn't recover from there.

Jan Pierre Gellez finished with 22 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists for Calltek followed by Ronaldo Junio with 11 points.

Magdadaro, on the other hand, had a aoster showing of 28 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two assists for Cebu Global, which also drew a spectacular performance from Tagalog and Paradiang who combined for 44 points, nine rebounds, nine steals and six assists in an all-around hardcourt brilliance.

Cebu Global was down by five at the bend, 28-33, but charged back with savvy in the third canto, 26-19, to wrest the driver's seat, 54-52, for good. They then outscored Teleperformance in the final quarter, 31-18, for the 15-point romp.

Frenche Bonn Petallo paced Teleperformance with 22 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.

The scores

First game

Cebu Global (85) - Magdadaro 28, Tagalog 23, Paradiang 21, Go Long 7, Jn Paul 4, Estrada 2

Teleperformance (70) - Petallo 22, Isada 10, Beltran 8, Alguno 7, Real 6, Padigos 5, Canoy 3, Coronado 3, Rivera 2, Senas 2, Verallo 2

Second game

Aegis (71) - Amarado 22, Escalon 15, Veloso 8, Navaja 7, Baz 5, Arriesgado 4, Yballe 4, Zanoria 2, Chiu 2, Pastoral 2

Calltek (57) - Gellez 22, Junio 11, Genebraldo 9, Martinez 4, Ced. Uy 4, Con, Uy 4, Abellana 3

— EBV (FREEMAN)