CEBU, Philippines - Jorei Marlon Pingoy and Gerald Ampoon nailed crucial triples, while Alvin Labolabo Jr. asserted his height advantage as the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters tamed gritty University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 90-79, in the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI).
The Junior Webmasters headed to the dug-out with a four-point deficit, 34-38, as they struggled in the entire first half where they had difficulty in getting their shots falling.
Aside from being off-sync in the first 20 minutes, they found it hard to defend Rommel Diapera who was wreaking havoc on the part of the Baby Panthers. It was Diapera's basket that gave the Baby Panthers their largest lead, 38-31, before Pingoy hit a triple to push UC closer, 34-38, at the break.
Diminutive guard Oscar Pua gave the lead back to the Junior Webmasters after a long while, 39-38, to start the third period and despite Diapera's game-long brilliance leading the Baby Panthers with 26 points including four triples, the Junior Webmasters still closed the third period with a 67-59 lead.
Ampoon caught fire in the fourth period in the company of Alfred Codilla and Ruel Padilla Jr. to help the Junior Webmasters maintain a 10-point lead, the last was at 80-70 with still 5:47 left in the game.
However, the Baby Panthers fought back as Christian Baguio completed a three-point play to trim the deficit to five, 77-82, with still a plenty of time to spare.
In the ensuing play, Pingoy drained a booming triple and after Baguio was whistled for an offensvie foul against Codilla, Labolabo sank an undergoal stab to put the Junior Webmasters safely ahead.
Later, Ampoon knocked in the final nail on USPF's coffin as the Junior Webmasters coasted to their fourth straight victory to join the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers at the top spot.
Pingoy topscored for the Junior Webmasters with 17 points, Alexander Nazareno added 16, while Codilla and Ampoon had 14 and 13 points.
The Baby Panthers, who also had four players scoring in double figures including Diapera, Baguio, Joshua Corciles and Chris Niño Pitogo, remained winless in four starts. (THE FREEMAN)