UC Webmasters players and coaching staff at center court at the Cebu Coliseum. CDN Digital photo | Glendale Rosal
CEBU CITY, Philippines—The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters are still unbeaten in the Cesafi men’s basketball tournament after defeating the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 73-59, on Tuesday night, November 7, 2023, at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Webmasters stretched their win streak to a record eight and remain on top of the team standings with two games left in the elimination round.
Their victory also cemented their status as the first team in Cesafi’s history to establish an incredible 8-0 run in the league.
But it wasn’t smooth sailing for the Webmasters against USJ-R.
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UC coach ejected
UC needed to overcome some in-game setbacks before tasting victory, including head coach Kernn Sesante being ejected in the third period.
Sesante received two consecutive technical fouls after his on-court outburst due to a missed call from the referees.
He was frustrated at the referee for a flopping call on Danie Lapiz, which he believed was an offensive foul on USJ-R team captain Justine Langres.
His outburst resulted to his Because of this, Cesafi deputy commissioner Boyet Velez said Sesante will be slapped with a one-game suspension, a P10,000 fine, and four hours of community service.
The game was highly physical that it resulted to multiple technical fouls from both teams.
Instead of being demoralized with Sesante’s ejection, the Webmasters heated up in the second half.
UC rally
Their three assistant coaches comprised of UC Lapu-Lapu-Mandaue head coach Caleb Gawangan, “Cebuano Hotshot” and Cebu City councilor Dondon Hontiveros, and Jerry Abuyabor teamed up in leading the Webmasters to victory.
From being down by eight in the first half, the Webmasters rallied in the third period, turning the game completely to their favor.
They unleashed a scorching 31-10 run in the entire third period to grab a 13-point cushion, 53-44, heading into the final canto.
They also exploited USJ-R’s foul trouble, as the latter was on penalty early in both the third and fourth periods.
Adding USJ-R’s woes was the untimely injury of one of its reliable guards, Karl Ventura, who dislocated his right index finger while trying to poke the ball from the hands of UC’s Ricofer Sordilla in the third period.
UC then went on to stretch their lead to 16, their biggest, 73-57, in the end game.
John Linares led UC with a game-high 16 points, all scored in the second half. Incredibly, 12 of his total points came from beyond the arc.
Joseph Nalos added 10 points, while Maverick Eligoyo and Roosevelt Jellianggao combined for 17 points for UC.
Elmer Echavez scored 13 points, while Klein Gordillo added 10 in USJ-R’s losing efforts.
Despite the defeat, USJ-R remains a strong contender in the college division with a 5-2 (win-loss) card for third place in the team standings.
UC vs UV game
The Jaguars are just behind the defending champions and No.2 team, the University of the Visayas Green Lancers (6-0).
The Webmasters will have their toughest test on Saturday when they face the Green Lancers at 5 p.m. with their unbeaten record at stake.
The Jaguars will try to bounce back by squaring off against the Benedicto College Cheetahs on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
/bmjo