Jumike Casera of UC and Andrew Velasco of Ateneo de Cebu clash midair in their game in the Cesafi juniors basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
The University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters obviously do not fear the three-time defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles.
As if that wasn’t apparent in last year’s finals when they took on the Magis Eagles before eventually wilting, the Baby Webmasters made it very clear last night when they took down their nemesis, 62-55, in the 16th Cesafi juniors basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
Showing an uncanny readiness to scrap against the highly touted boys in blue and white, UC dug down deep in the fourth and held Ateneo de Cebu to a mere five points in that stretch to pull off the win and the solo leadership in the standings at 3-0 (win-loss).
Luigi Gabisan sparkled with an incredible double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds while Gelmart Umpad had an all-around effort of 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
John Bryl Cuyos, Umpad’s backcourt partner, was also at his deadliest as he tallied 14 points, grabbed four boards, dished out five assists, swiped three steals and blocked two shots.
Tied at 50-all, the Magis Eagles suddenly went through a dry spell while the Baby Webmasters got buckets from Cuyos and Gabisan to put them in front for good, 60-53, with less than three minutes remaining.
Errol Pastor paced the Magis Eagles with 12 points and 10 rebounds but sullied his performance by committing 10 turnovers. Andrew Velasco and Jed Colonia each had 11 for Ateneo de Cebu which fell to 2-1.
In the men’s division, the Mighty Sports-backed University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars pulled away late to beat the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats, 80-76.
USJ-R now totes a 2-1 mark while CIT-U fell further down at 0-3.