STREAM Ingenyouity showed why it is the defending champion, downing the erstwhile unbeaten Aegis Vipers, 73-71, in the 2013 E-League for Basketball last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu Gym.
Joselito Aranda came up with a near triple-double performance, piling up 16 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals as Stream tied its victim’s slate at 7-1 (win-loss).
Also stepping up big for Stream were Sylvester Millevo, John Louie Arriesgado and Angelo Lucero, who all scored in twin digits to combine for 39 points.
Ryan Veloso led the Vipers with a game-high 24 points, while Steve Warren Navaja and Dean Junber Escalon added 15 and 10 markers, respectively.
The Lexmark Stallions, meanwhile, bounced back from a lopsided loss the last time out by spanking the Telstra-Teletech Titans, 88-69.
Recovering from its 66-82 loss to Accenture, Lexmark banked on Franco Cipriano, who collected 25 points, 12 rebounds, six steals, one block and an assist.
The Titans dropped to 2-7. They were led by Manuel Rodello, who fired 24 markers, while Ben Belena, Edsel Capillanes and Jaime Antonio Medija added 14, 11 and 10, respectively.
Tallying their sixth win in eight outings were the Wipro Tigers, who shot down the SSI Warriors, 60-52. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA