CEBU, Philippines - The lower-seeded University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Baby Panthers stopped the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, 77-62, last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The win puts the Baby Panthers one away from the third place honors of the basketball event of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI).
It was the first time that USPF beat CEC in three meetings this season.
Games tomorrow:
(Cebu Coliseum)
1 pm USPF vs. CEC
(for 3rd place)
2:30 pm USC vs. UV
(for 3rd place)
4 pm UV vs. SHS-AdC (championship)
5:30 pm UC vs. SWU (championship)
The Baby Panthers had all its players contributing especially big men Jason Cando and Winston Bolivar.
Cando delivered 22 points and Bolivar who was penalized by their coach the last time out against the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers in their final elimination round assignment, hauled 15 points.
Point guard Jomari Gairanod added 12 markers.
It was uncharacteristic for the Dragons to have lost by that margin against the Baby Panthers, who they swept in two previous meetings – 79-70 on September 4 and 83-77 last October 8.
Dragons team manager Sammy Sia said they have a problem with their players because since they lost the finals slot, their morale also went down but he is hoping this could be addressed right away.
He said that as early today, they have been preparing for the next season.
Alfred Sedillo led the Dragons with 15 points and James Neil Sumayang chipped in 12 points.
As of press time last night, the undermanned University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, whose key players were suspended in the aftermath of the tumultuous do-or-die battle for the last finals slot, were still hoping for the best as they went up against the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in their own battle for third place.
They played without head coach Felix Belano and players John Michael Abad, Edrian Lao, Phil Mercader and Rene Jun Sayson.
The scores:
USPF (Jrs.) 77 – Cando 22, Bolivar 15, Gairanod 12, Diapera 9, Amontos 9, Remedio 4, Cabungcal 2, Mangaron 2, Villarta 2
CEC (Jrs.) 62 -- Sedillo 15, Sumayang 12, Bauya 9, Yap 7, Roxas 5, Villarosa 4, Huevos 2, Berdera 2, Bracero 2 Halftime: 36-23 (FREEMAN)