Pioneers pummel Generals, earn share of lead

Jan Michael Auditor dropped 18 points on top of eight rebounds and three assists as the Sykes Pioneers pummeled QBE Generals, 76-43, to keep their perfect record intact in the Elite Classic division of the Tanduay Athletics E-Leagues for Basketball Season 14 last Sunday at the City Sports ClubCebu gym.

Sherwin Anghay banged in 12 markers for the Pioneers, who were in complete control from the onset on the way to earn a share of lead with the Accenture Sharks on identical 3-0 slates.

Stuart Foot posted a gamehigh 19 points but to no avail as the Generals, who were elevated to the Elite Classic after winning the EVO League championship last season, slumped to their second straight loss.

In the other game, the Fusion BPO Services Inc. (formerly Supportsave) Dragons escaped past the skidding Telstra-Teletech Boomerangs, 66-62, for their second win in a row.

The ever reliable Nino Belande sparkled with 26 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks for the Dragons. He got huge support from Janille Kristian Bantilan with 16 points and Justine Marie Mier with 11 points, eight steals, six rebounds and six assists.

Jasper Diaz scored 17 laced with nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks for Telstra, which crashed to its fourth straight defeat.

In the EVO League, Francis Mateo, Jaime Buena Jr. and Mikkee Acedhore Caballero connived for 37 points as the Dyninno Jets kicked off their campaign with a 75-74 cliffhanger over the Contact Solutions Flying Lemurs, while Peann Jazz Bartoces, David Saloria, Clark Sayson and Fritz Malinao had 58 combined points as the JP Morgan Chase & Co. Bankers slammed the SSI Research Now Warriors, 68-57.—