THE ACCENTURE Sharks bucked outright elimination even without their top gun as they downed the Lexmark Stallions, 75-64, to forge a do-or-die down showdown in the southern conference best-of-three finals series of the 2013 E-League for Basketball last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu Gym.
Accenture’s main man Acrhie Batua failed to suit up after sustaining a knee injury in the team’s 60-66 loss in Game One. His absence did not dampen the Sharks’ spirits as they played a near flawless basketball from start to finish to extend their season.
Stepping up big in Batua’s absence was Ryan Edward Llanos, who piled up a game-high 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Lending a hand in Accenture’s big win were Jasper Loreto and Jonathan Abesia, who scored 18 and 13 markers, respectively. Ildefonso Bulangis Jr. also made a good account for himself, plucking down 15 rebounds, dishing off 11 assists while scoring seven points and collecting six steals.
Niel Timpo paced the Stallions with 19 points, while Franco Angelo Cipriano and Ralph Loren Martinez pitched in 11 points each.
The winner in the series will play the Aegis Vipers for the league’s overall crown. Aegis became the first finalist after sweeping defending champions Stream Ingenyouity in the northern conference finals. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA