UC waltzes into best CESAFI start

CEBU, Philippines - University of Cebu’s tower of power June Mar Fajardo pumped in 26 of his game-high 28 points in the final half to vault the UC Webmasters to an 83-72 shellacking of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers the other night in the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today (Cebu Coliseum)

4:30 pm UV vs. CEC (Jrs.)

6 pm UV vs. CIT (Srs.)

Janssen Abella contributed 14 points and former USPF Panther Moncrief Rogado added 11 markers as the Webmasters of coach Roel Gomez extended their winning streak to three for their best ever start since CESAFI’s inception nine years ago.

Earlier, Anthony Gai Romaguera sparkled with 18 points as the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors escaped with an 83-82 nail-biter over the USPF Baby Panthers.

Fajardo was not a factor in the first period and was rested for most of the second quarter. The Panthers made the most out of the opportunity to take a 35-3 lead at halftime and even padded it to 37-33 on Elwin Durano’s basket kicking off the second half of play.

But that proved to be the last stand of the Panthers as the Webmasters did not waste time in letting Fajardo exploit his height advantage.

The 6-foot-9 Fajardo gamely rose to the challenge by destroying USPF’s defense with authority and sank his shots at will on all range. That built momentum for the Webmasters, who led by as much as 17 points on several occasions in the final period.

With still five minutes left to play, the Panthers of coach Raul Latonio, Sr. somehow conceded defeat specially when their big men Armel Fuentes, Nuevo Demo Filoteo and Durano were in foul trouble against Fajardo.

The Panthers, who fell to 1-1, were led by Ellison Rivera with 27 points. Christian Tinoy was the only other double-scorer for USPF with 11.

The scores

UC (83) - Fajardo 28, Abella 14, Rogado 11, Quilantang 6, Luceño 5, Juliane 4, Mohammad 3, Tano 2, Cayanong 2, Cabrera 2, Cueva 2, Miranda 2

USPF (72) - Rivera 27, Tinoy 11, Dajalos 8, Bardillas 6, Filoteo 6, Linao 5, Durano 3, Tabada 2, Ferraren 2, Manansala 2

Halftime: 33-35. – THE FREEMAN