UC scores double anew

Jared Kane Abatayo stood tall as he scored 17 points to lead the University of Cebu Webmasters to an 82-73 victory over the University of San Carlos Warriors the other day in the fifth season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball event at the Cebu Coliseum.

It was another twin kill for UC as the Junior Webmasters edged the USC Baby Warriors, 68-66.

In the lone women's division match, the University of San Jose-Recoletos Lady Jaguars skinned alive the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Lady Wildcats, 80-50.

The juniors and seniors squads of the Webmasters now has identical 2-0 win-loss records to take the temporary lead in their respective divisions.

Defending Champion University of the Visayas Green Lancers are yet to see action tomorrow against the Warriors, who hired M. Lhuillier coach and Cebu City South District Councilor Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba as their bench tactician.

"Actually dili mi lig-on nga team pero dako mig chance kung magkugi lang gyud mi sa depensa," a very elated Webmasters coach Roel Gomez said after the game for an impressive start by his wards.

The Webmasters lost a huge 38-19 second period advantage behind a daring rally ignited by Niño Ramirez, Enrico Llanto and Vermini Tangarorang. The rally would have been complete for USC had they not missed a lot of crucial free throws.

Ramirez hit two triples in a third period and Llanto's basket put them closer to just four points, 42-46, with 4:38 left in the said period.

However, the Webmasters surged again and went back to a scoring spree to finish the job.

"We finished the job because the Warriors were not aware we were throwing four different defenders on Llanto. Wala sila kabantay nga among gipuli-pulihan si Llanto og depensa nilang Ata Ayuk, Miguelito Ducay, Aldeth Batobalonos ug Rendyllle Lou Quirino," said Gomez.

Miguelito Ducay, Orville Saludsod and National Youth Team member Jonathan Canceran scored in double figures for the Webmasters.

Former Junior Webmaster Arlow Jueves led the Warriors with 16 points, Ramirez had 14 points and Llanto had 12 points.

In the secondary match, Jan Julius Colina saved the day for the Junior Webmasters who completed a three-point play in the final 52.9 seconds to bail out his team.

Colina, a potential candidate for the coming All-Star game as well as the MVP, scored a game-high 29 points while Mark Gil Panerio, who drilled in crucial three-pointers, finished with 14 points.

The Junior Webmasters trailed most of the way and were down by as much as 10 points, 48-38, on a basket by the lanky John Lao late in the third period.

On the other hand, Wilfreda Labaya led the Lady Jaguras with12 points while Celvera Arcilles and Beverly Rose Mahawan had 10 points apiece.

The Lady Wildcats were led by Chona Tabernero with 18 points while Faith Ann Sanchez had 12 points.

The scores:

First Game: Women's

USJR (80) - Labaya 12, Arcilles 10, Mahawan 10, Mejellana 7, Cabilao 6, Baclaan 6, Dagatan 6, Sta. Cruz 4, Sepulveda 4, Gasal 4, Donayre 2, Malinao 1.

CIT (50) - Tabernero 18, Sanchez 11, Trazona 6, Gonzales 5, Chua 4, Café 2, Santos 2, Faune 2. Halftime: 43-25

Second Game:

UC (Sec.) 68 - Colina 29, Panerio 14, Tabalin 5, Capoy 4, Ompad 4, Mohammad 4, Gayo 4, Enriquez 2, Quico 2.

USC (Sec.) 66 - Flanco 13, Alforque 12, Padillo 10, Arriesgado 8, Bercede 6, Morales 4, Lao 4, Delos Reyes 4, Te 3, Bucayan 2. Haltime: 28-30

Third Game:

UC (Coll.) 82 - Abatayo 17, Ducay 15, Canceran 10, Saludsod 10, Villanil 9, Abellanosa 8, Batobalonos 6, Ayuk 5, Yncierto 4, Sesante 2, Quirion 1.

USC (Coll.) 73 - Jueves 16, Ramirez 14, Llanto 12, Padayao 9 Tangarorang 7, Gallarde 7, Sharma 4, Cabajar 3, Joven 2, Tagalog 2, Loyola 2, Igao 2. Halftime: 40-22