Dragons outshine Boomerangs

CEBU, Philippines – The Supportsave Dragons outlasted the Telstra-Teletech Boomerangs, 100-86, in battle of Evo League giants in the 11th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Saturday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Niño Belande was just two assists shy from a triple-double, finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Dragons who were in complete control from the start. They closed the first half at 46-40, then outscored Telstra in the third period, 27-21, to take a dozen-point lead going in the final 10 minutes of the contest, 73-61.

Belande drew huge support from Germaine Jo Guarisma, who also had 21 points on top of five assists and four rebounds. Gerald Mari Baritua chipped in 14 points for the winning side.

Sam Jordan Hermosa exploded with season-highs 41 points and 18 rebounds in a losing effort for Telstra.

In the other Evo League match, Jade Seno had 21 points and passed out nine assists, while Charles Andrew Ybañez scored 18 laced with six rebounds to power The Results Spartans to a 101-72 whacking of the 1&1 Marauders.

Winston Pacaldo scattered 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Kevin Gialogo added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Spartans, who kept the Marauders at bay after racing to a 24-17 start. They kept on pounding on their hapless rivals to dish out a 29-point romp.

In the Elite Classic, Franz Martinez fired 22 points and 14 rebounds to propel the Wipro Tigers to an emphatic 80-77 win over the ePerformax Reds, while Franz Dione Dysam netted 17 points, eight steals, four assists and as many rebounds to lift the Convergys Converters past their struggling sister-team Convergys Blue Devils, 66-49. — EBV (FREEMAN)