Webmasters improve to 3-3
The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters relentlessly crashed the offensive boards and made the most out of second opportunities to come away with a 73-61 victory over the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Panthers in the 15th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
UC’s wiry forward Garciano Puerto pursued every looseball he could get his hands on and had several crucial putbacks down the stretch to aid the Webmasters even up their win-loss record at 3-3.
Garciano ended up as the star of the show as he had an all-around performance of 17 points, 15 rebounds, four steals, three assists and a block.
Melvin Butohan and Joseph Mayol each had 15 points, the latter responsible for most of the points in a telling 11-2 run at the start of the third that turned what was a 32-34 halftime deficit into a 43-36 lead.
Mayol, the former Mythical Five member of the NBTC National High School Championships during his time with juniors powerhouse Ateneo de Cebu, scored three straight three-point bombs in the said stretch as the Webmasters pulled in front and never relinquished the lead until the final buzzer.
But UC was not without its fair share of anxious moments after USP-F crept to within four, 56-60, after a Kim Bajamunde corner triple. Puerto, though, carried the Webmasters to the finish line with a three-point play and a putback while Jan Jabello scored on a layup to put UC in front, 67-58 with 1:08 left.
Gilbert Sastrillas was USPF’s high-point man with 12 while John Alocillo added 10. The Panthers remain winless in seven games so far this season.
In the juniors division, the USP-F Baby Panthers salvaged the day as they routed the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens, 77-56.
Sniper Ain Obenza led the team with 18 markers.