Sharks slay Dragons to keep solo lead in Elite Classic

CEBU, Philippines — Archie Brian Vincent Batua and Jetro Gonzaga tallied 17 points each even as they also combined for 10 rebounds, seven assists and five steals as the Accentures Sharks subdued the BPO Fusion Services Dragons, 86-81, to stay on top of the heap in the Tanduay Athletics E-Leagues for Basketball Season 14 last Sunday at the City Sports Club-gym.   

Sherwin Resilla and Junas Marion Misa chipped in 10 markers apiece for the Sharks, who solidified their hold of the solo Elite Classic lead with a 12-1 win-loss record.

Nino Belande was in his usual explosive self, churning out 27 points on top of 10 rebounds and 10 assists but then again his efforts went down the drain as the Dragons suffered their fourth straight loss and ninth overall in a dozen matches.

In the EVO League, the Author Solutions Philippines Inc. (ASPI) Hardbacks downed the Optum Knights, 72-64, to stay unbeaten in four games since the arrival of Sylvester Millevo.

Millevo, one of the only two players in the league to win the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in the same season, dropped 25 points, eight rebounds, eight steals, and three assists for the Hardbacks, who raised their mark to 7-2.

Donald De Leon added 17 points for ASPI, while Albert Martinez III donated 10 points.

Arbey Baculi scattered 20 points, Mark Dhaniel Caumeran had 15 and Agustin Dakay, Jr. tossed in 12 markers for the Knights, who slipped to 3-7.

In the other EVO League games, the JP Morgan Chase Bankers annihilated the CTC-BPO Panthers, 89-62, while the Results Manila Spartans nipped the Dyninno Jets, 66-57.

James Patrick Bactol fired 29 points, while Fritz Malinao and Jeyson Goden connived for 21 points as the Bankers stretched their record to 6-3 in a tie with the Spartans, who drew 14 points each from Jade Seno and Noel Villaceran. (FREEMAN)