Las Vegas KTV ‘94 trips Pilipinas Shell ‘80 in Cecaba

THE chips continue to fall for Pilipinas Shell ‘80s as they got blanked in crunchtime to fall to Las Vegas KTV-M16 Disco ’94, 67-74, in the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association’s 12th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup last Tuesday night at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

The Chester Cokaliong-powered squad was in full control for most of the match and at one point, even led by 12 points, 30-18. However, just like their last game, Class ‘80 lost composure and eventually fell for the second straight time and twice in three games.

Shell headed to the final canto on top, 59-52, but that was their last stand as Bronson Pena fueled a 13-0 blast that gave Class ’94 a, 65-59 lead. The score came close for the last time at 63-65 but Class ’94 sealed the deal with a 7-2 run capped off by a triple by Anthony Chua.

Pena had 18 points and nine rebounds while Wellington Yu stuffed the stat-sheet with 17 points, 16 rebounds, five steals and two blocks for Class ‘94.

Cokaliong topped Class ’80s with 24 points and one assist. Stephen Tan had 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Joel Chan charted the first triple-double output of the season with 11 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a losing effort for the Shell-backed squad.

In the other game, Rogelio Donayre fired 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals as The First Family Appliance Corp. ’96 banked on a 29-12 halftime advantage to cruise past First ACY Shipping 2006, 44-38, in a low-scoring duel. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio