Villaspin the hero as Wipro ends two-game skid

CEBU, Philippines — Khristian Lope Villaspin sank a buzzer-beating triple as the Wipro Tigers snapped out of their two-game slide with a 61-59 cliffhanger over the Concentrix Converters in the Elite Classic of the Tanduay Athletics CSCC E-Leagues for Basketball Season 15 over the weekend at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Villaspin scored only eight but spelled big difference for the Tigers.

Earvin Dennis Ferraren collected 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, Andrew Gervacio tossed in 11 points, while Joseph Saquin cashed in 10 points and pulled down 11 boards as the Tigers improved their record to 3-5.

Lourenz Limpangog topscored with 12 points for the Converters, who slipped to 4-5.In the other Elite Classic duel, the Sykes Pioneers edged the Teleperformance Vipers, 79-70, to fortify their hold of the solo lead with an unblemished 8-0 record.

Jan Michael Auditor was the brightest spot for Sykes with 32 points, six rebounds and two assists. He was backed up by Marl Vincent Vincent Laguna, Earldred Cesar Montilla and Mark Khim Montilla who connived for 27 points.

Mon Xavier Dico fired 25 points and Rahne Laborte had 14 but to no avail as the Vipers suffered their fourth loss in nine games.

In the EVO League, the Optum Knights stunned the previously unbeaten Contact Solutions Flying Lemurs, 65-60.

Al De Los Santos scattered 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Nicole John Sultan nailed 14 markers while Melvin Campecino and Rome Dominic Densing tallied 21 points in between them as the Knights notched their sixth victory in eight starts.

Jason Bancale and Joey Lucky Juntilla netted 12 points apiece for the Flying Lemurs, who saw their six-game winning streak come to a screeching halt.

Still in the Evo League, the Executive Boutique SVC Bulldogs claimed their fifth win in eight matches by draining the Shearwater Health Crusaders, 98-62, while the Amazon Aces prevailed over the Fluor Pandas, 84-72. (FREEMAN)