UC, UV enter semis Lady Webmasters grab third straight CESAFI cage crown

The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers marched into the semifinals after they both knocked out their unseeded rivals in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball event at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Webmasters, who enjoyed a twice-to-beat advantage, booted out the Cebu Instiute of Technology (CIT) Wildcats, 97-81, while the Baby Lancers, also having a twice-to-beat advantage, knocked out the smaller but hard-fighting University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars, 78-68.

Before the Webmasters victory, the UC Lady Webmasters completed a 6-0 sweep after scoring an 86-75 victory over bitter rival, University of San Carlos Lady Warriors, to win the CESAFI title for the third consecutive year.

The Webmasters will move on to play against second seed USC Warriors with the latter enjoying the twice-to-beat advantage while the Baby Lancers will play against the USP Baby Panthers, who has the twice-to-beat advantage.

In the other women's contest, the University of San Jose-Recoletos Lady Jaguars handed the Cebu Doctor's University (CDU) White Mares its sixth straight loss, 80-44.

Taking a 56-40 lead at the half, the Webmasters refused to give up behind the concerted efforts of Allain Abellanosa, Jared Kane Abatayo, Christian Rez, Franco Cipriano and Elizalde Mamalias.

Abellanosa and Mamalias wrought havoc in the first half combining for 31 out of the 56 points scored by UC while 25 points were scattered by their other teammates.

Abellanosa led the Webmasters' offense with 23 points, 18 of them were in the first half.

Rez was the other UC player to finish in double figures with 18.

Marvin Abapo, one of the CIT veterans, finished with 23 points to lead the Wildcats while Sherwin Abobo and Jerry Lumongsud had 17 and 16 points, respectively.

Earlier, Edrian Lao and Phil Mercader led the Baby Lancers' semifinals bid scoring 19 and 13 points, respectively.

It was first woman CESAFI MVP Clarissa Lanuza, who topscored for the Lady Webmasters with 26 points including a couple of triples. Of the six UC players who scored, four of them finished in double digits.

As usual, the Lady Warriors were led by leading scorer Jessamine delos Reyes with 27 points followed by Juvelyn Andaya with 21 points.

The scores
First Game: Women's

USJR (80) - Chiong 16, Gasal 13, Valiar 11, Baclaan 10, Malinao 8, Sta. Cruz 8, Dagatan 6, Cabusao 3, Tazona 2

CDU (44)- Natividad 16, Tejero 12, Lebumfacil 11, Barcenas 2, Villaneuva 2, Babiana 1

Second Game: Women's

UC (86) - Lanuza 26, Lim 19, Nieves 15, Piloto 10, Nicolas 8, Belonguel 6

USC (75) - Delos Reyes 27, Andaya 21, Ceniza 11, Amoguis 6, Cañete 4, Lim 2, Alerta 2, Comahig 2

Third Game: Secondary

UV (78) - Lao 19, Mercader 13, Sagmon 8, Malagar 6, Camay 5, Gonzaga 5, Ybañez 4, Lacuna 3, Malig-on 3, Padecio 2, Espinas 2, Premacio 2

USJR (66) - Caritan 12, Unabia 7, Heredia 7, Rentuza 6, Santos 5, Corominas 4, Senining 4, Trillo 4, Ponsica 4, Cabanes 4, Quijano 3, Veloso 2 Halftime: 41-32

Fourth Game: Collegiate

UC (87)- Abellanosa 23, Rez 18, Mamalias 15, Abatayo 9, Abella 9, Cipriano 7, Canceran 6, Cadayong 4, Agas 3, Tulda 2, Ceniza 1

CIT (80) - Abapo 23, Abobo 17, Lumongsud 16, Montealto 11, Aniñon 7, Regis 3, Adlawan 2, Reyes 1 Halftime: 56-40