Cheetahs cruise to 4-0, Webmasters bounce back

CEBU, Philippines — The Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs maintained their perfect start, while the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters got back quickly on the right track in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament Sunday night, September 20, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Serge Gabines unloaded 20 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals to power the Cheetahs to a 67-53 drubbing of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats.

Kenneth Babalcon and Junil Bulan each scored 12, while combining for seven rebounds, 11 assists, and six steals as the Cheetahs firmed up their grip of the solo lead in college division with an immaculate 4-0 slate.

Wayne Victor Gementiza had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Wildcats, who fell to 2-2.

In the other collegiate matchup, the UC Webmasters rebounded from a previous defeat with fire in their eyes and vented their ire on the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 77-52.

Luther Leonard led four UC players in double figures with 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

Maverick Eligoyo posted a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds with three assists and three steals, while Juan Raphael Garro and Jepherson Nonol chipped in 10 apiece as the Webmasters improved to 4-1.

Ashly Howard Dennison finished with 12 points and nine rebounds while Christian Jayvee Deiparine cashed in 11 points and four rebounds for the Panthers, who suffered their third loss in four games.

In the juniors division, the reigning five-peat champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles whipped the USPF Baby Panthers, 59-42, for their second straight victory.

Gabriel Gonzales paced the Magis Eagles with 13 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.

Lian Kent Basa added 11 points, seven rebounds, seven steals, two assists, and one block, while Jibson Gaviola chalked up a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Jayhaad Aguipo posted a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double, but to no avail as Baby Panthers stumbled for the second time in a row.

Meanwhile, Ajun Luchavez delivered 19 points, five rebounds, and a block as the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers barged into the win column with an 85-67 rout of the San Carlos School of Cebu (SCSC) Baby Warriors.

Darlico Kuno Gantuangco contributed 15 points, while Kirbey Borbon recorded a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds with six steals and an assist for the Baby Lancers.

Ahron Andrei Casul produced a game-high 21 points, while Heath Lauren Macapil and Alfredo Zafra III tallied 21 points in between them but to no avail as the Baby Warriors dropped to 1-2. — (FREEMAN)