St. Augustine Cup Webmasters overcome Panthers in thriller to rule Inayawan hoop

CEBU, Philippines — The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters edged the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers by the narrowest of margins, 94-93, in their nerve-wracking championship match to rule the 1st Brgy. Capt. Kirk Bryan Repollo Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament-St. Augustine Cup last Wednesday night at the Emilio R.M. Jaca Sr. Sports Complex and Cultural Center in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City.

Spunky guard Darell Shane Menina brought the heaviest damage on the Panthers after he dropped 26 points for the Webmasters, who bucked off a sluggish then weathered a spirited endgame resistance by their gritty foes to pull off a cliff-hanger.

Tosh Sesay, UC’s foreign student athlete from Sierra Leone, also made a significant contribution with 24 points for the Webmasters. They trailed by 13 points, 31-44, but fought back with savvy to pull within just four at halftime, 42-46.

The Panthers quickly restored a double-digit lead, 55-44, but the Webmasters retaliated with a blistering 27-12 rally to wrest the driver’s seat, 71-67, after three quarters.

The two protagonists figured in a nip and tuck battle in the closing minutes of the contest, with the Panthers courageously overhauling a 74-84 deficit to come threateningly close at 93-94 with only 29.4 seconds left to play.

After missed attempts by the Webmasters, the Panthers had a chance to steal the win but Alje Mendez missed an undergoal shot at the gameclock expired in a wild and wooly finish that thrilled the large throng of spectators to the bones.

The Webmasters of coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba pocketed P25,000 for topping the week-long tournament that is among the highlights of Inayawan’s annual fiesta celebration in honor of their beloved patron St. Augustine de Hippo on August 25.

Lameen Swint scattered 26 points while Neon Chavez and Mendez tallied 14 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Panthers, who went home with P20,000 for placing first runner-up. — EBV