VFI-USJR, Metro-UC make semis in Partner's Cup tilt

The top seed VFI/University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and the second-ranked Metro Gaisano-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters bested separate foes to march into the semifinals of the CESAFI-organized Partner's Cup collegiate basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The VFI-USJ-R pounced on the undermanned Cebu Landmaster-USPF, 85-62, to grab the first semis slot, while the Metro Gaisano-UC had a ferocious third period capped with a 19-0 run and two slam dunks to oust Guardo-Don Bosco, 105-95.

For VFI/USJ-R, there was no turning back because after an 11-0 start, it finished with a 42-20 lead at the half. It met little resistance against the seven-man Cebu Landmaster, which some of its players were nowhere to be found.

As usual, Luther Luke Justiniani and Armand Ponce dictated the tempo of the game for VFI as the two guards combined for 25 points. Justiniani had 14, Ponce had 13 followed by Lyndon Gudez with 11 points.

All seven USPF players scored paced by John Gulanes with 17 points. Moncrif Rogado added 11 markers.

Leading scorer Dominic Ceniza, Bryan Travero and rookie Franz Dysam did not play for USPF yesterday.

Later, UC roared back after it allowed Don Bosco to keep a 62-58 lead, striking a league-best 19-0 run late in the third period to grab the lead for good.

Gaisano outscored Don Bosco in the third period, 35-26, to take an 11-point lead, 79-68, on back-to-back slam dunks by Junemar Fajardo and Jonathan Canceran.

Allain Abellanosa, who was limited to just five points in the first half, led UC's relentless fourth-quarter attack that enabled the Webmasters to enjoy as much as 15 points advantage, 83-68.

Abellanosa topped UC with 19 points, while Fajardo and Marvin Ceniza donated 17 and 16 points, respectively.

In pummeling Don Bosco hard in the final stretch, UC employed variation of trapping defense and scored with its multi-faceted offense either at the three-point area or at the perimeter.

Ian Calooy, incidentally a former UC cager, paced Don Bosco with 17 points, while Cyril Pedros chippined in 14 points followed by Christopher dela Rama with 12 in a losing cause.

The scores

sFirst game:

VFI-USJ-R (85) - Justiniani 14, Ponce 13, Gudez 11, Carilla 9, Lapiz 7, Bibera 5, Delfino 4, Duran 3, Arpay 2, Malinao 2, Antigua 2, Villahermosa 2, Gabas 1

Cebu Landmaster-USPF (62) - Gulane 17, Rogado 11, Quinao 9, Latonio 9, Mancera 8, Bartolabac 6, Muñez 6 Halftime: 42-20

Second game

Metro Gaisano-UC (105) - Abellanosa 19, Fajardo 17, Ceniza 16, Canceran 13, Abella 12, Flanco 8, Abatayo 5, Agas 2, Tulda 2, Cipriano 2

Guardo-Don Bosco (95) - Calooy 17, Pedros 14, Dela Rama 12, Brigoli 10, Coligado 9, Abellanosa 9, Alferez 8, Mabano 6, Villaver 4, Aldave 4, Baring 2 Halftime: 44-42