Cesafi: UC continues dominance, routs UP-Cebu

UC Webmasters players, coaching staff, and officials pose for a group photo after beating UP-Cebu in the Cesafi men’s basketball tournament. CDN Digital photo | Glendale Rosal

CEBU CITY, Philippines—The University of Cebu (UC) pulled off another blowout win, this time routing the University of the Philippines (UP)-Cebu Fighting Maroons, 83-61, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men’s basketball tournament on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Coming from a 74-point blowout of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University, the Webmasters logged win no. 2 via another rout for a 2-0 (win-loss) record early in the Cesafi season.

READ: Webmasters win by 74 points vs Wildcats in Cesafi college hoop wars

Jasper Pacaña once again led UC, scoring 15 points, 13 of which he made in the final period.

Ricofer Sordilla was also a huge factor on the floor after chipping in 14 points, while John Regie Dajab added 10 markers.

UP-Cebu actually put up a fight early on, just trailing UC, 27-31, at the half.

But UC pulled away after igniting a blistering 12-3 run behind Pacaña and Luther Leonard.

With their efforts, the Webmasters were able to erect a 43-30 advantage.

But UP-Cebu of head coach Rommel Rasmo still fought back, even slicing the lead to a manageable eight points, 46-54, heading into the final period.

Then Pacaña took over.

He hit three treys to spark UC’s 21-9 tear that led to a  20-point cushion, 75-55, with just 2:40 left.

UP-Cebu would not be able to recover after this run.

The Fighting Maroons were paced by Niño Sarol, who scored 17 points.

JD Dizon added 14, while AJ Delos Reyes netted 10 for UP-Cebu, which suffered its second straight defeat.

UC will next face the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial College (CRMC) Mustangs on October 14, hoping to stay unbeaten.

UP-Cebu, on the other hand, will try to arrest its losing skid when it takes on the streaking University of San Jose-Recoletos (3-0) on Sunday, October 8.

/bmjo