Warriors dodge upset axe

CEBU, Philippines – The University of San Carlos Warriors wiped out an 18-point deficit late in the second period then drew stellar  performances from Ian Tagapan and Ian Ortega in the windup to turn back the gritty Cebu Institute of Technology-University  Wildcats, 83-75, in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Tagapan exploded with a season-best 29 points laced with nine rebounds, while Ortega unloaded all his 13 points in the fourth quarter spotlighted by a crisp 3-pointer that sealed the deal for the Warriors with less than a minute left to play.

Coming off a one-week rest, the Warriors' offense seemed to have gone awry in the early goings and their CIT-U rivals capitalized on the opportunity. After grabbing the driver's seat, 7-6, the Wildcats went on to establish a huge 40-22 advantage with 1:14 before halftime.

Tagapan, however, kept the Warriors' heads above the waters in a performance worth remembering for. After fueling

a 14-2 rally that the Warriors within striking range for the first time, 40-45, he conspired with Ortega in a daring endgame comeback that vaulted USC to its third straight win in as many starts.

In the face of USC's spirited challenge, the Wildcats stayed in fighting mood and kept double-digit lead, 65-55, but that proved to be their last gasp of breath as the Warriors,living up to their monicker, launched a lighting 14-1 attack to grab the upperhand, 69-66, for good at the final 3:33 mark of the contest.

The Wildcats threatened for the last time at 70-72 on Joshua de la Cerna's basket as Ortega, after a split

charities by Shooster Olago, scored on a five-point swing that ensured the Warriors victory, 78-70, with only 41 seconds to go.Overall, they outscored the Wildcats, 35-16, in the final period.

Ortega also had five rebounds and four assists in an all-around heroics, while Olago had a solid double-double  show of 17 points and 16 rebounds for the Warriors, who are now only one game away from the pace-setting University of the Visayas Green Lancers (4-0)

De la Cerna finished with 27 points, while guard Steven Bucao nailed 16 markers for the Wildcats, who suffered their fourth loss in five starts.

Earlier, the University of Cebu Juniors Webmasters upended the UV Baby Lancers, 70-64, to improve their win-loss record to 3-2. The Baby Lancers dropped to 2-3 despite a monster 25-point, 15-rebound effort by Jankork Cabahug. (FREEMAN)