THE AEGIS Vipers moved on the threshold of copping their first-ever title by nailing an 80-67 win over the Lexmark Stallions in Game One of their Best-of-Three series in the 2013 E-League for Basketball Finals last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu Gym.
Responsible for the dethronement of defending champion Stream Ingenyoutiy, whom they beat in their best-of-three semifinal duel, 2-1, the Vipers took full control of the match with a blistering start and closed the first quarter with a 23-12 lead.
Aegis was in the lead the rest of the way, delivering the knockout punch with a 23-17 assault in the final period.
Steve Warren Navaja spearheaded the Vipers with 19 points, Ryan Veloso unloaded 15, while Dean Junber Escalon and Rodulfo Enterina III tallied 14 and 11, respectively.
BOX SCORES:
AEGIS (80)- Navaja 19, Veloso 15, Escalon 14, Enterina 11, Bas 5, Manzanares 4, Navaja K. C. 4, Zanoria 4, Navaja J. L. 2, Armamento 2.
LEXMARK (67)- Pia 19, Tiempo 15, Cipriano 14, Ofonda 10, Santillan 4, Villahermosa 3, Talan 2./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA