Southwestern University’s Jovannie Luz slices through three University of San Carlos defenders at the start of the semifinal action of the 16th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum yesterday.
(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Games today
(Cebu Coliseum)
HIGH SCHOOL
1:00 p.m. – AdC-SHS vs. CEC
2:30 p.m. – UV vs. UC
COLLEGE
4:00 P.M.- USC vs. USJ-R
5:30 p.m.- UV vs. SWU
A 19-point advantage proved to be no match for the “Mac Attack” of the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma as two-time league MVP, Macmac Tallo led the Cobras to a scintillating 68–65 victory over the defending champions University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors at the start of the semifinal round of the 16th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Faced with a 43-62 deficit at the onset of the fourth quarter, Tallo took over, scoring 14 in an incredible 22-0 blast, capped by a triple by William Polican that put the Cobras in front for good, 65-62, with just 59 seconds remaining.
Tallo, who finished with 26 points, six rebounds and three assists, then assisted a wide-open John Lloyd Luz, who nailed a dagger of a triple with 24.4 ticks left to give SWU a 68-63 lead and put the win in the bag.
Luz proved to be more than an able sidekick as he contributed 14 points, four rebounds and four assists while Ian Ortega had 12.
It was a sorry loss for USC, which got off to a fast 21-6 start and led for all but one minute of the game. Lefty guard Bryan Divinagracia led the Warriors with 15 while Kevin Oleodo had 12.
In the high school division, the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters once again proved to be the biggest thorn on the side of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles because for the second time this season, they took down the three-time defending champions, 73–68.
UC’s 4-foot-11 court general Gelmart Umpad epitomized the heart of UC’s fighting spirit as he tallied 30 points highlighted by five long three-point bombs to give the Baby Webmasters a headstart in the race for the two finals berths.
The top two teams at the end of the single round-robin semis will advance to the best-of-three finals.
The offensive display by the Medellin-native was so impressive that Ateneo de Cebu head coach Rommel Rasmo tipped his hat off to the youngster after the match.
“You have to give it to the kid. He made us all look stupid today,” quipped Rasmo of Umpad’s all-around performance that included five assists, two steals and even a block.
Kyle Ordeniza backed Umpad up with a near double-double of 12 points and nine rebounds laced with five steals. Luigi Gabisan and Johnbryl Cuyos added 10 apiece to help UC deal Ateneo de Cebu only their second loss of the season.
Reigning MVP Jed Colonia led the way for Ateneo de Cebu with 16 points and eight boards.
In the other high school game, the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers moved a little closer to a finals berth with a 70–65 win over the Cebu Eastern College Dragons.
In the other college division match, the UV Green Lancers chalked up a 75–68 win over the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars.