Dragons earn share of Evo League lead

CEBU, Philippines – Niño Belande dished out 23 points and 18 rebounds as the Supportsave Dragons whipped Contact Solutions, 89-75, to earn a share of lead in the Evo League of the 11th CSCC E-League men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Gerald Mari Baritua and Germaine Jo Guarisma chipped in 35 points combined for the Dragons, who joined the Telstra-Teletech Boomerangs on top of the standings with identical 7-1 win-loss records.

The Dragons led by only three after the first period, 22-19, but launched a sizzling 23-11 rally to break the game wide open at halftime, 45-30.

Jerard de la Cerna banged in 22 points on top of eight rebounds but to no avail as Contact Solutions stayed at the cellar with the 1&1 Marauders, who also suffered their seventh loss in eight games at the hands of the Teletech Titans, 55-94.

Jonas Concepcion finished 22 points, while Jervis Pino Sildura and Carlo Brylle Samson conspired for 37 points and 33 rebounds as Teletech notched its only second win in eight starts.

In the other games, the Author Solutions, Inc. Hardbacks used a balanced attack to crush the 24/7 Cagers, 99-84, while the Calltek Trojans rode on the deadly one-two combo of Patrick Jamlan and Aerl Genebraldo to upend The Results Companies Spartans, 71-60.

Six players cashed in double figures led by Donald Stephen de Leon with 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Hardbacks, who now hold an even 4-4 record in a tie with Calltek. The Cagers dropped to 2-6, despite a spectacular 42-point, 13-rebound effort by Ralph Belarmino.

On the other hand, Jamlan and Genebraldo combined for 45 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and three steals for Calltek. Jade Seno had 24 points in a losing cause for the Spartans, who absorbed their third defeat but already with five victories. — EBV (FREEMAN)