USPF sweeps slam, shootout in All-Star game

CEBU – Elwin Durano and Moncrif Rogado of the University of Southern Philippine Foundation (USPF) won the slam dunk and 3-Point Shootout yesterday during the CESAFI All-Star Game at the jam-packed Cebu Coliseum.

By sweeping these two prestigious contests, Durano and Rogado made their Coach Raul Latonio, Sr. beaming with joy.

Before the end of the elimination round Latonio said that his team may not qualify for the semifinals but he is certain his bet in the slam dunk contest will win the crown. His word came to pass.

Durano, the high-flying rookie from Tuburan, got the nod of all five judges, receiving a perfect 50 points for his last dunk – where he took off from the free throw line and leaped over teammate Jordan Bardilles.

Spectators in the jam-packed Cebu Coliseum roared in approval after Durano had thrown down the left-handed slam.

Durano bested the likes of Eulogio “Junjun” Lasala, 6-11 Gregory Slaughter of UV, and 6-9 Jun Mar Fajardo of the University of Cebu, the other acknowledged slammers in the league.

What Coach Latonio didn’t foresee but was very glad to witness was the shooting skills of Rogado, who became CESAFI’s new 3-Point Shootout king. Rogado not only beat Von Harry Lañete of UV; he set a league best 44 points.

Rogado barely made it to the second round after scoring just 11 points in the first round. He made up for his poor showing earlier and scored 21 points in the next round and 23 points in the last round for a total of 44 points.

This put pressure on Lañete,who was the leader after the first round.

Lañete came out with guns blazing in the first round with 15 points but couldn’t match the accuracy of Rogado down the stretch. Lañete could only score 31 points – 15 in the second round and 16 in the last round - to settle for second place.

Rogado comes from a breed of pure shooters. His uncle, the former University of San Carlos (USC) Warrior topgunner Peping Rogado was also one of the best shooters during his prime especially when the Warriors won the CAAA crown in 1956. The elder Rodago is now living in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Eric Zanoria of Southwestern University (SWU), the defending slamdunk king was unable to defend his title as he is serving suspension meted by the Cobra’s management. Zanoria reportedly broke some houses rules.

Jessmar Villahermosa of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, last year’s 3-point shootout champion, was unable to defend his crown as well because he has transferred to the University of the East in Manila. – THE FREEMAN