Aegis, Sykes draw first blood in CSCC E-League conference finals

CEBU, Philippines - The Aegis Vipers stunned defending champion Stream Ingenyouity, 72-63, while the Sykes Pioneers shackled the Teletech Titans, 72-61, to draw first blood in their respective best-of-three conference finals in the Sun Cellular-presented 8th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Clifford Amarado exploded with 30 points on top of five rebounds for Aegis, which kept Stream at bay after getting off to a flying 19-7 start.

Stream pulled within four points after three quarters, 47-51, but Aegis went back to business in the final canto to preserve the nine-point victory.

Steve Warren Navaja tossed in 17 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals for Aegis, while Dean Junber Escalon added 13 markers and three rebounds.

Reigning MVP Sylvester Millevo scattered 22 points, five rebounds, three asissts and two steals for Stream, but got only support from Edwin Bibera with 11 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.

On the other hand, Jan O'Neil Sahilan pumped in 18 points, six steals and the same number of rebounds as Sykes took full control of the match from start to finish.

After closing the first half with a dozen-point lead, 39-27, Sykes neutralized Teletech's offense in the final half to come up with a double-digit win.

Ray Oliver Castañares backed up Sahilan with 16 points, four steals and three rebounds followed by Peter Alexander Te with 15 points and three steals.

Sherwin Emmanuelle Resilla led Teletech with 18 points and six rebounds.

The scores

First game

Sykes (72) - Sahilan 18, Castañares 16, Te 15, Umabong 5, Diotay 4, Galarido 3, Montelibano 3, Suarez 3, Pardenila 2, Lepardo 2, Diputado 1

Teletech (61) - Resilla 18, Limpangog 13, Anghay 12, Yulo 9, Romulo 2, Pardillo 2, Jayme 2, Belena 2, Banua 1

Second game

Aegis (72) - Amarado 30, Navaja 17, Escalon 13, Veloso 7, Bas 4, Zanoria 1

Stream (63) - Millevo 22, Bibera 11, Cajuelan 8, Mancao 8, Arroyo 6, Lucero 3, Recla 3, Alquilos 2 (FREEMAN)