Sykes, Accenture advance to playoffs on positive note

CEBU, Philippines — The defending champions Sykes Pioneers and the Accenture Sharks ended their elimination round campaigns on a bright note in the Elite Classic division of the Tanduay Athletics CSCC E-Leagues for Basketball Season 15 over the weekend at the City Sports Club-Cebu Gym.

Mark Olmilla, John Capuyan and Victor Rabat connived for 42 points as the Pioneers slammed the QBE Generals, 82-53, to finish the double round classification stage with a 13-3 win-loss card.

The Pioneers will be the No.2 seed heading into the playoffs behind the pace-setting Accenture Sharks, who improved their record to 15-1 after winning by forfeiture over the ePerformax Reds.

In the EVO League, Oscar Villamor piled up 18 points, 19 boards, three blocks, two steals and one assist as the Dyninno Jets pulled off a 73-72 squeaker over the Kyocera Frontiers.

Rainier Obenza and Raymond Basanez also figured prominently with 25 combined points for the Jets, who notched their sixth straight victory and 11th overall against five losses.

Ariel Edera fired 31 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks but could not fill up the void left by Matthew Grafilo as the Frontiers suffered their only fourth setback in 15 matches.