Echo nips Bravo, regains lead in CEKALCO

TEAM Echo beat erstwhile leader Bravo, 94-87, Friday night for its 4th win in six games to snatch the lead in the Center Katipunan A. Lopez Christian Organization (CEKALCO)-2012 Summer basketball tournament at the A. Lopez open court in barangay Labangon.

Both teams were tied at 21-all in the opening period but Bravo outscored Echo in the second, 17-15 to take a slim, 38-36 lead at the half.

Echo responded with a blistering, 31-15 run in the third to erect a commanding 14-point lead, 67-53, entering the final canto.

Bravo ruled the fourth, 34-27 but came short of snatching the win as it fell to 3-2.

Richie Villarosa led Echo with a game-high 24 points while the Desoyo brothers, Danny and Dodong added 15 points apiece. Fritz Desoyo and Ringo Reyes paced Bravo with 22 and 13 points, respectively.

Earlier, Alpha stunned Delta, 83-79, for its 3rd win in six games, while the latter fell to 1-3.

Edward Tenchavez and George Aspera fired 20 points apiece to lead Alpha while Julius Gutierez paced Delta with a night-high 32 points.

BOX SCORES

ALPHA (83)- Tenchavez 20, Aspera 20, Panugaling 12, Sinag 10, Dolera 10, Delos Reyes 5, Sirena 4, Perino 2.

DELTA (79)- Gutierez 32, Lazaga 15, Loayon 8, Gacasan 7, Ho 5, Yamoay 4, Navares 4, Rosales 4.

2nd game

ECHO (94)- Villarosa 24, Da. Desoyo 15, Do. Desoyo 15, Cabalda 14, Tabasa 12, Beltran 10, K. Desoyo 4.

BRAVO (87)- F. Desoyo 22, Reyes 13, Castro 12, Sameon 10, Gonzaga 8, Billiones 7, J. Desoyo 6, Solana 4, Dumduma 3, Amahan 2. /Correspondent Dale Rosal