CEBU, Philippines - John Raphael Aranas had a crucial steal and scored three straight crucial points to lift the Enervon C-UC Junior Webmasters to a 79-75 victory over the Ave Maria Sanctuary Park-USJ-R Baby Jaguars and grab the solo lead in the secondary division of the CESAFI Partner’s Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.
Down by six points in the final five minutes, 64-70, the Junior Webmasters quickly recovered by employing a solid man-to-man defense that forced the Baby Jaguars to commit costly errors. They eventually tied the count at 72-all on a basket by bull-strong center Alvin Labolabo, Jr, with still 2:24 left in the game.
Hounded by poor free throw shooting, Aranas made his presence felt by intercepting a floating lead pass and drove straight to the basket to give back the lead to the Junior Webmasters, 76-75, with only a minute left to play.
Aranas, who finished with only nine but very meaningful points, made another steal on Gudeve Edu Autentico who fell into the floor and got fouled in the process.
He could only convert one gift shot though to make it 77-75 for UC.
Jeri Marion Pingoy later drew a foul from Arlister Escatron and sank his charities to seal the deal for UC.
Labolabo led the Junior Webmasters with 18 points while Pingoy added 11 markers.
Earlier, the San Marino Corned Tuna-USC Baby Warriors pulled a 62-61 cliffhanger against the Bibbo-CIT Wildkittens to chalk up their first victory in three games.
Anthony Gai Romaguera topscored for the Baby Warriors with 14 points.
The scores
First game
San Marino-USC (62) - Romaguera 14, Bongo 8, Antigua 6, Kikuchi 6, Jaca 6, Uy 4, Asotigue 4, Dalangpan 3, Guardario 3, Palapar 2, Malana 2, Paajantoy 2, Ortega 2
Bibbo-CIT (61) - Nalos 15, Batiquin 11, Sancez 9, Tallo 8, Limalima 3, Pamaong 2, Tejam 2, Autor 2, Jungoy 2, Bancale 2
Second game
Enervon C-UC (79) - Labolabo 18, Pingoy 11, Aranas 9, Saramosing 8, Nazareno 7, Comendador 5, Talisic 4, Padilla 4, Joseph 4, Yburan 3, Ortega 2, Dela Cerna 2, Otida 2, Codilla 1
Ave Maria-USJ-R (75) - Muñez 11, Autentico 11, Trozo 10, Tan 7, Legaspi 7, Escatron 6, Montecillo 5, R. Senining 5, Alob 4, Senining 3, Cabasan 2, Eborlas 2, Go 2 (FREEMAN NEWS)