Cheetahs off to fast start, reaffirm mastery over Mustangs in CESAFI

CEBU, Philippines — The Benedicto College Cheetahs reasserted their mastery over

the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Mustangs.

And they did it in a more decisive manner.

Using a fast start and balanced offensive attack, the Cheetahs blew away the Mustangs, 90-68, at the start of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday night, September 21, at the Cebu Coliseum.

In last year’s battle of league debutants, the Cheetahs had to pass through the wringer before pulling off a 69-67 cliffhanger over the Mustangs.

It’s a completely different story this time, with the Cheetahs enjoying a wire-to-wire victory.

Five BC players cashed in twin digits bannered by Nicole Jay Cabañero with a solid double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Junnil Bulan and Serge Gabines each scored 13, even as they also connived for nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals for the Cheetahs of coach BJ Murillo, who never looked back after a ripping the game apart at halftime, 54-31.

The Cheetahs were so fierce that at one point they surged ahead by 29 points, 88-59, in the waning seconds of the lopsided duel.

Albert Tolipas chipped in with 12 points, nine boards, two assists and two steals for the Cheetahs while Allen Angelo Alicando added 10 points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals.

Earl Laniton paced the Mustangs with 18 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals. Keaton Clyde Taburnal finished with 10 points and eight rebounds in a losing cause.

Meanwhile, the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters gave their new head coach Reggie Licanda a rousing welcome as they beat the Don Bosco Greywolves to a pulp, 84-58.

Immediately after the tip-off, the Baby Webmasters launched a lighting 13-0 attack, which they parlayed into a 28-6 advantage after the first period.

Jake Lordwin Yong netted 15 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block in an all-around show, while Carlo Salgarino and Marcuz Gilbuena posted 20 points and 12 rebounds in between them to lead UC’s 26-point thrashing of the hapless Greywolves.