Overpowering separate rivals in their latest match-ups, Ceres Pasalubong 2006/07 and Phoenix 1999/2000 keep their record unblemished to share the No. 1 spot in the team standings of the 5th SJI Alumni Basketball Friendship Cup.

Ceres latest victim was the Legends/2009, who failed to keep pace with the run and gun game of the Pasulobong squad that ended in a 95-76 win.

In contrast, Phoenix had a narrow escape against Watefull/Celcor 1993/04/05 as it wasted away its 24 points advantage in the early quarters to pull off a 91-87 victory.

With the trio of John Lee, Mark Jimenez and Jan Jan Lopue anchoring Phoenix’s offense, the team was able to build a 27-14 first quarter lead.

Bearing the 8-point penalty at the start of the second quarter as only six of its players in the lineup reported for the game, Waterfull had to suffer through a 24-point deficit against the Phoenix.

Trying to salvage the situation, Michael Ang shot 11 points to lead a Waterfull comeback to cut the lead to 54-40.

But Phoenix managed to cushion the impact of the rally as Eduardo Ng scored nine points and Jordan Chua hit six for the 1999/2000 squad.

Ang continued to deliver for Watefull with 10 points, while Julius Teruel provided additional firepower with eight points as they closed the gap to as low as two points with a minute left.

The rally, however, fell short as Jan Jan Lopue scored Phoenix’s last three points.

Lee topscored with 23 points, Jimenez sunk 10, and Lopue made 9 points.

Ang paced Celcor with 21 points, Teruel added 14, Castro contributed 11, and Monroe Chua hit 9 points.

Meanwhile, Ceres Pasalubong’s powerful duo of Martin Jalandoni and Brian Coo once again led the team’s offense as they subdued the Legends.

Leif Ledesma added 12 points and Raymund Lacson finished with 11 ponits, while Alvin Dionela and Christopher Mahinay contributed 10 points each for the win.

Wilson Gamboa Jr. and RJ Uy delivered 17 points apiece for the Legends, while Omay Demonteverde scored 12 points, EJ Go shot 10,

Aljon Diolaso picked up 8 points, and Kevin Daniel Ramos had 7 points.

Meanwhile Terra Dolce /Jollibee dominated 11 Degrees, 74-57 to stay at third spot, while New Energy Mktg/Shakey’s 2008/10/11 is at No. 4 after holding off Petron 2001/02/12 at 85-78.*NAB

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