THE UNIVERSITY of San Carlos (USC) Warriors prevailed over the J. Espina-Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 115-106, in a wild showcase of blistering offense to claim third-place honors in the 1st Raul Cabanero Inter-Collegiate Basketball League on Tuesday night at the Bulacao Sports Complex in Talisay City.
USC’s fiery guard Ian Tagapan engaged CIT-U’s high-scoring forward Joshua dela Cerna in an explosive shootout but in the end, the former just got more support from his teammates to help the Warriors come away with the victory and the P30,000 cash prize.
Tagapan, one of the best two-way players in the Cesafi, singed the Wildcats’ defense for 38 points. He was backed up by veteran wingman Ian Ortega, who had 22 markers and much-improved left-handed big man William McCaloney, who scored 20. Cesafi Mythical Five member Charles Pepito submitted 17 while Mavii Suarez chipped in 11.
For the second night in a row, dela Cerna scored a whopping 42 points. But just like their 97-100 loss to the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in the semifinals, it was all for naught. Karl Lucena contributed 20 while Marlo Pono and Wilkins Sanchez had 12 each.
In the Inter-Sitio division, Holy Child outclassed Hawod, 74-73.
THE SCORES:
USC (115) Tagapan 38, Ortega 22, Mc alony 20, Pepito 17, Suarez 11, Rabat 3, Divinagracia 2
J. Espina-CIT-U (106) Dela Cerna 42, Lucena 20, Sanchez 12, Pono 12, Bucao 6, Rossel 5, Mumar 4, Kong 3, Maglasang 2.