Dragons give Generals rude welcome in Elite Classic

The Supportsave Dragons gave QBE a rude welcome in the Elite Classic, overcoming an offensive meltdown in the windup to vanquish the Generals, 7468, in the 14th CSCC E-Leagues men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

The Generals were elevated to the tougher Elite Classic after winning the Evo League championship last season.

They immediately realized how tough the challenge is for them ahead.

Nino Belande sparkled with 25 points on top nine assists and eight rebounds for the Dragons, who used a searing third-quarter rally to turn back the Generals.

Up by only two at halftime, 28-26, the Dragons staged a 22-8 blitz to mount a 16-point advantage, 50-34, going into the final period.

They then weathered a spirited endgame fightback by the Generals to escape with a six-point triumph.

Belande was backed up by Janille Kristian Bantilan with 17 points, four assists and three rebounds, and Justine Marie Mier with 11 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

In the other Elite Classic duel, the Wipro Tigers edged the Telstra-Teletech Boomerangs, 69-64, behind the 20point show of Brian Deodoro.

Randolf Espinosa contributed 15 markers, while Aaron Suson had 11 points for the Tigers, who outscored the Boomerangs in the final half, 39-22, to steal the win.

Jasper Diaz paced the Boomerangs with 14 points , 15 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals, while Jaggy Vios and John Zafico scored 10 each for a losing cause.

In the Evo League, the SSI-Research Now Warriors whipped the Author Solutions Inc. (ASI) Hardbacks, 69-53, while the Optum Knights slaughtered the Streamline Kangaroos, 74-44.

Dennis Noel Poquita, one of the few pioneering players still seeing action in the league,led the Warriors with 10 points, five steals, five assists and a rebound, while Nicole John Sultan and Vincent Armamento topped the Knights with 27 combined points.—

EBV