LAWYERS from Cebu City displayed grace under pressure as they powered the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Cebu City Chapter team to the championship title in the 15th IBP National Convention of Lawyers basketball tournament last Thursday at the Capitol Parish gym in Escario.
The IBP-Cebu City quintet, with big man Venju Santiago anchoring the offensive onslaught, escaped past the gritty IBP-Davao City team, 81-73, to snatch the championship title in the tournament that is part of the ongoing national IBP convention that the city is hosting.
Santiago took advantage of his height and heft in wreaking havoc in the shaded lane as he scored 23 points in leading IBP-Cebu City to the hard-earned victory.
Former University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters stalwart Kenneth Kernn Sesante also displayed the form that made him one of Cebu City’s best collegiate cagers years ago as he spearheaded a crucial breakaway rally for Cebu City in the penultimate canto.
The lawyer-cager Sesante and workhorse Richard Bauzon chipped in 11 markers apiece to help Cebu snare the diadem.
Another IBP-Cebu big man, Van Ligutan, also starred for the Cebuanos as he added 15 points, including a booming trey that put the icing on the cake for IBP-Cebu.
IBP-Davao dictated the tempo of the game in the opening quarter as it led, 16-15, at the end of the period.
Cebu City came alive in the second quarter as Santiago and Resti Arnaiz teamed up in sparking a huge 14-3 run that erected a 29-19 lead with still five minutes left before halftime.
Armand Dioso led all scorers with 26 points but for a losing cause.