Cagers from Cebu Landmasters-USC and Casino Active-USJ-R race to gain ball possession in a Cesafi Partner’s Cup game at the Cebu Coliseum.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
THE M. LHUILLIER-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and the Cebu Landmasters-University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors zoomed to the top of the standings after they authored contrasting wins in the collegiate division of the 2018 Cesafi Partner’s Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Webmasters stepped on the throats of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT–U) Wildcats down the stretch and came away with a 77-56 win.
The Warriors, on the other hand, squeaked past the Casino Active-University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 67-63.
Both UC and USC tote identical 2-0 win-loss cards in the early stages of this preseason tournament of Cebu’s preeminent inter-school competition.
CIT-U actually led 11-10 after the first 10 minutes of action before UC asserted itself late in the second period, where it dropped a 17-3 bomb to take a 33-20 lead into the halftime break.
The Webmasters kept their foot on the gas pedal in the third, which they started with a 14-2 burst fueled by their transition attack led by Cameroonian
Frederick Elombi, Jan Jabello and veteran guard Justine Dacalos. When the dust settled, UC had already built a huge 26-point advantage, 48-22.
The Wildcats, behind the steady hand of rookie Kenny Rogers Rocacurva, trimmed the deficit to a dozen points, 45-57, but the Webmasters were not to be denied as they got 10 straight points from lefty guard Paul Galinato to push their lead back to 23, 72-49.
Elombi scored 15 points, hauled down 14 rebounds and blocked four shots while Dacalos and Galinato had 13 apiece. Jabello added 11.
John Reel Saycon, meanwhile, continued to be the anchor for USC as he led the team with 17 points.
In the high school division, USJ-R emerged victorious over USC, 66-60.