Jules Langres of the USC Warriors goes for a lay-up against Peter Paul Codilla of the UC Webmasters during their 16th Cesafi men’s basketball game at the Cebu Coliseum. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
The University of San Carlos Warriors snapped a two-game slump in spectacular fashion, edging the University of Cebu Webmasters, 69-67, in overtime Tuesday in the 16th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
Rookie big man Conrad Catapusan and wingman Kevin Oleodo helped push the Warriors over the top as they scored crucial baskets in the extra time that made all the difference in the hotly-contested game.
Oleodo had 15 points while Catapusan finished with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. USC evened their record at 3-3.
Tied at 62-all, Catapusan started the overtime with a turnaround jumper and after a free-throw by UC’s Fil Culango, added a one-handed floater with 1:33 to go for a 66-63 lead. Half a minute later, Oleodo followed up a miss and put it back in to raise USC’s lead to five with 57 ticks remaining.
Still, UC fought back and trimmed the lead to two after two quick baskets by Jhan Jabello. The Webmasters even had a shot to tie or take the lead as they regained possession with less than 10 seconds left. However, UC guard Gileant Delator erred in passing the ball to Joven Tagudin who had yet to establish his position after stepping out of bounds, resulting in the costly turnover.
USC guard Gio Laguyo was immediately fouled and sent to the line with 1.4 ticks on the clock. He missed both but UC was not able to grab the rebound as time expired.
JR Puerto had a monster game for UC with 16 points and 17 rebounds but it was all for naught as they fell to 2-4.
Meanwhile in the juniors division, the three-time defending champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles continued on their revenge tour of sorts as they manhandled the Cebu Eastern College Dragons, 88-41.
Since tasting defeat at the hands of the UC Baby Webmasters, 55-62, several weeks back, the Magis Eagles have tortured every opponent that they have crossed paths with, winning by an average of 39 points.
Yesterday was yet another example of their might as they opened with a 28-11 leeway after the first quarter and never looked back to regain the solo lead in the standings with a 5-1 card.
Andrew Velasco scored 13 to lead Ateneo de Cebu while big man Alex Visser had 10 points and six boards. Jay Javelosa and Travis Mantua each had nine while reigning league MVP Jed Colonia made up for his four-point performance by dishing out eight assists on top of four rebounds.
CEC, which fell to an even 3-3, was led by the 17 of James Tempra.