USPF turns back CIT-U

CEBU, Philippines - The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers let loose a powerful endgame kick to turn back the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats , 70-68, in last Sunday's main match of the 11th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

5:15 pm USP-F vs. UC (jrs.)

6:45 pm USC vs. USJ-R (srs.)

It was a rare double victory for USPF as the Baby Panthers feasted on the University of San Jose- Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars, 85-66.

The Wildcats had an impressive performance for more than three full quarters and even enjoyed a seven-point lead, 58-51, on a triple by Floyd Taboada still with 5:48 left in the contest.

But instead of breaking under pressure, the Panthers stood up bravely and responded with a 13-2 run ignited by Joseph Sedurifa's three-point play that pulled them within 54-58. They eventually seized the upperhand, 64-60, after holding off the Wildcats to just two points in nearly three minutes of switching ball possessions.

Sedurifa and Anthony Linao then scored four more points to pad their lead to six, 68-62, at the final 1:23 mark.

The Wildcats threatened for the last time when Alex Joseph Rabaya made a steal as they came within two, 68-70, with only 16 seconds to go.

The Panthers, who evened their win-loss record to 4-4, had four players scoring in double figures led by Sedurifa with 14 points. Linao and Randy Avila each finished with 11 points even as James Ferraren added 10.

Chester Curso fired 20 points, while Rabaya and Taboada connived for 28 markers but their efforts went for naught as the Wildcats crashed to their seventh straight defeat in as many starts.

Earlier, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers defeated the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 84-72, while the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Greywolves won over the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters via a 76-75 cliffhanger.

The scores

USPF (70) - Sedurifa 14, Linao 11, Avila 11, J. Ferraren 10, E. Ferraren v6, Dajalos 4, Cabahug 4, Fuentes 2, Sollano 2, Camello 2, Nudalo 2, Misa 2

CIT-U (68) - Curso 20, Rabaya 16, Taboada 12, Taghoy 8, Brigoli 6, Dimco 2, Batiquin 2 (FREEMAN)