Webmasters rout Jaguars for second straight victory (Baby Lancers cruise to 3-0 start in CESAFI basketball)

CEBU, Philippines — The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters dominated the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 76-58, for back-to-back wins in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 basketball tournament on Sunday, October 6, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Danie Boy Lapiz dropped 21 points on top of five rebounds and one block, while Jasper Pacaña chipped in with 13 markers, two boards, and two dimes as the Webmasters joined the Grand Slam-seeking University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs on top of the college division standings with similar 2-0 records.

Luther Gabriel Leonard and Mc Stevel Ursal made their presence felt on the defensive end, combining for 19 rebounds to help the Webmasters outmuscle the Jaguars, 54-43.

From a 43-23 advantage at halftime, the Webmasters surged ahead by as much as 27 points, 51-24, early in the third frame that sent the Jaguars reeling the rest of the way.

Elmer Echavez Jr. finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, one assist, and two steals for the Jaguars, who stumbled for the second time in three starts.

In high school play, the UV Baby Lancers overhauled a 33-44 deficit early in the third quarter and then quelled a fierce endgame resistance by the gritty USJ-R Baby Jaguars to grind through a 73-70 victory.

Roderick Cambarijan Jr. netted 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three blocks while John Nathan de la Torre tossed in 16 points, five rebounds and two assists for the Baby Lancers, who earned a share of the juniors leadership with the UC Baby Webmasters on identical 3-0 slates.

Trailing 67-70 with only a minute left to play, the Baby Jaguars blew their chances of turning back the Baby Lancers when Kyle Mathew Barietta made only one of his potential game-tying three free throws in the final 27 seconds and then J Lord Pepito missed a wide-open layup with 10 ticks remaining.

De la Torre went only 3-of-6 from the foul line in the last 16 seconds but it was more than enough to keep the Baby Lancers undefeated.

On the other hand, the league newcomer BC Baby Cheetahs stunned the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors, 65-59, for their breakthrough win in CESAFI.

Joshua Allen Micaros produced a dazzling double-double show of 22 points and 18 rebounds, while Joseph  Carl Demaclid and Kyle Andre Nalisa connived for 32 points, nine rebounds and four assists to help the Baby Cheetahs end their four-game jinx.

In the other result, Froilan Maglasang scored 16 points and Jelomar Rota added 15 as the two-time defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles triumphed for the second time in a row via a 97-66 blowout of the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Baby Mustangs. — (FREEMAN)