UP Cebu nails back-to-back wins with 15-point drubbing of USPF

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons outclassed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 72-57, for their second consecutive win in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament Friday night, October 2, at the

Cebu Coliseum.

UP Cebu trailed by three, 16-19, after the first quarter but launched a fierce retaliatory attack in the second period to take a 43-34 lead at halftime.

The Fighting Maroons sustained their hot charge in the second half to cruise to a convincing 15-point victory.

Osias Andrew Padilla paced UP Cebu with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block.

Kenneth Robert Fuller Jr. tossed in 13 points and eight rebounds, while AJ de los Reyes added 12 points for the Fighting Maroons, who now hold a 2-4 record.

John Anthony Aligway finished with 15 points and three rebounds for the Panthers, who fell to 1-7.

In high school play, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Junior Wildcats improved to 5-1 after whipping the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) Greywolves, 80-64.

Florence Lloyd Cawit cashed in 18 points and five rebounds, Theo Maxim Santiago chipped in 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Vincent Zamora contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Junior Wildcats, who led by as many as 25 points.

Zhen Francis Ancheta and Zane Oddyssie Ondoy scored 11 points apiece, while Jason Liam Arriba had 10 points, but their efforts went for naught as the Greywolves remained winless in six games. — (FREEMAN)