Sordilla explodes for 27 points as Webmasters outlast Cheetahs

MANILA, Philippines — Ricofer Sordilla delivered what is by far his best performance with University of Cebu (UC), erupting for 27 points to propel the Webmasters to a 78-68 whacking of the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 25 basketball tournament on Saturday night, October 18, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Sordilla, who also had two rebounds, three assists, and a steal with only one turnover in 27 minutes of play, shot a spectacular 10-of-19 from the field including a season-best seven 3-pointers in a stellar showing that catapulted the Webmasters to the top of college division standings with a 5-1 win-loss record at the end of the first round of elimination.

Sordilla s back-to-back hits from beyond the arc gave the Webmasters a 75-68 breather in the final 1:22 mark after the Cheetahs came threateningly close by just a hairline, 68-69.

Overall, the Webmasters outgunned the Cheetahs in the fourth quarter, 17-5, to secure a double-digit victory despite losing a 12-point lead, 35-23, early in the second period.

Joseph Art Nalos and Carlo Salgarino complemented Sordilla with 10 points each while Luther Leonard grabbed 11 boards as the Webmasters outrebounded the Cheetahs, 54-41.

Jhon Loufred Diamante and Den Rick Orgong tallied 14 markers apiece for the Cheetahs, who suffered their second defeat in six games.

On the other hand, James Paolo Gica wore the hero s cape as the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors grinded through a nerve-racking 74-73 triumph in overtime against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars.

Gica s crucial jump shot in the last three seconds of the regulation forced a 64-all deadlock that resulted in a five-minute extension.

Gica did it again in extra time when he made a fadeaway shot with only five ticks left to play that sealed the deal for the Warriors.

The Jaguars had a chance to steal the match but Rodge Aldrich Balbao missed his last-ditch attempt as the game clock expired.

Gica, the man of the hour for the Carolinians, finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Reil Einer Aureo top-scored with 16 points and four rebounds while Rey James Enriquez added 10 points, two rebounds, and three assists as the Warriors improved to 4-2 after stretching their hot streak to three games.

Christian Carl Sollano registered a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds while Rodge Aldrich Balbao posted 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals but their efforts went to the dustbin as the Jaguars saw their three-game winning roll come to a sceeching halt and fell to 3-3.