Lions hand Rams first loss in Elite hoopla

CEBU, Philippines — The Lions dealt the Rams their first loss, 89-79, in the Elite Basketball Club Cebu  Season 14 powered by Tough Gear Sportswear at the Visayan Glass Gym in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

Jefford Aldave sizzled with 21 points and Jon Chua added 14 points for the Lions, who parlayed an early 25-17 lead into a 16-point advantage at halftime, 50-36.

The Rams pulled within just four points after three quarters, 60-56, but the Lions firmly held on their ground at the endgame to ease through a double-digit victory.

Rob Abayon and Jonathan Reyes banged in 12 markers apiece as the Lions evened their record to 2-2.

Phalang Linda had 20 points, while Winly Besin, Harmsway Molina, and Gabe Dayanan connived for 40 points but their efforts went for naught as the Rams saw their three-game winning streak come to a screeching halt.

The Rams fell to 3-1 in a tie with the Tigers, who notched their third win at the expense of the Wolves, 99-89.

Chris Obeso fired 30 points, Joel Bensig added 26 and Jojie Bas charted 23 points for the Tigers, who used a decisive second-half assault to turn the tables on the Wolves at the final buzzer.

Trailing 27-33 in the first quarter and 45-47 at the half, the Tigers unleashed a fierce third-quarter attack to seize the upperhand, 67-63, for good.

The scores

First game

Tigers (99) - Obeso C. 30, Bensig 26, Bas 23, J. Tabay 6, Belande 6, Restauro 4, Langomez 4

Wolves (89) - Lucero 25, Delcampo 20, Castro 18, Lopena 16, Salcedo 6, Micaral 4

Quarterscores: 27-33;45-47;67-63;99-89

Second game

Lions (89) - Aldave 21, Chua 14, Abayon 12, Reyes 12, Caritan 8, Heredia 6, Gonzales 6, Senining Renzo. 5, Clarete 5

Rams (79) - Linda 20, Besin 16, Molina 13, Dayanan 11, Matidios 9, Micarandayo 7, Saberon 3

Quarterscores: 25-17, 50-36, 60-56, 89-79 — EBV