Alpha stuns Echo for first win in Cekalco caging

TEAM Alpha shocked favored Team Echo, 101-100, Friday night for its first win in nine games in the ongoing Center Katipunan A. Lopez Christian Organization (CEKALCO)-2013, Second Season basketball tournament at the A. Lopez open court.

Echo led, 22-20, in the opening period and widened its advantage with a blistering 39-23 rally to rule the half with a commanding 18-point lead, 61-43.

Alpha managed to cut its deficit to 14 points with a, 29-25 run to enter the fourth canto trailing, 72-86.

However, Alpha was at its most potent in the fourth period where it finally closed the gap at 99-100, with just three seconds remaining. The Alpha’s Nolit Tabasa was fouled after receiving a pass from Ariel Navares with no time left in the ballgame. Tabasa then calmly sank both freethrows for the cardiac finish.

Tabasa scattered a night-high 26 points to power Alpha while Allen Templa and Danny Desoyo added 20 and 19 points, respectively. Jimbo Villarosa and Donald Catong paced the losing Echo (5-4) with 20 points apiece.

Earlier, Team Charlie won by default over Hotel for its sixth win in nine games, while the latter dropped to 5-3.

BOX SCORES

ALPHA (101)- Tabasa 26, Templa 20, Da. Desoyo 19, Beltran 17, Navares 8, Lawrence 5, Salaber 4, Do. Desoyo 2.

ECHO (100)- Villarosa 20, Catong 20, Solana 13, Ducayon 13, Dianon 10, Aspera 6, Yamoay 4, Lanticse 3, Romariz 3, Macalisang 3, Sagayno 3, J. Desoyo 2. /Correspondent Dale Rosal