CEC Dragons bounce back, Baby Wildcats stun UCLM

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons rebounded quickly from a previous setback and vented their ire on the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) Greywolves, 78-55, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 basketball tournament on Saturday, October 5, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Ace playmaker Lybron James Lamo was in his usual explosive form, firing in 23 points on top of five rebounds, four assists and two steals to help the Dragons recover from the 85-99 beating they suffered at the hands of the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers last October 1 that tarnished their once clean slate.

Louie Jay Estorba added 16 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals while Reyvene Arobo registered a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double for the Dragons, who banked on a fierce second-half attack to trounce the Greywolves and stay on top of the juniors division standings with a 4-1 win-loss record.

Ahead by only seven at halftime, 29-22,the Dragons greeted the third period with an 18-5 blast that set the stage for their 24-point blowout of the Greywolves.

James Plano and Camelson Paul Abangan combined for 23 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists but to no avail

as the Greywolves tasted their second defeat in three starts.

In the other game, Ryko John Batuigas and Kieff Russel Suarez both delivered an all-around performance as the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Baby Wildcats stunned the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM), 70-65, to barge into the win column.

Batuigas dropped 20 points laced with six rebounds, four assists, and a steal, while Suarez banged in 15 points, four rebounds, five assists, and six steals for the Baby Wildcats, who gamely overhauled a 10-point deficit, 19-29, midway in the second canto to turn back UCLM.

Still trailing by five at the break, 32-37, the Baby Wildcats launched an 11-0 blitz to seize a 49-43 lead late in the third frame.

After a 51-all deadlock, the Baby Wildcats threw a solid endgame punch to practically wrap up the match with a 69-60 advantage in the waning seconds.

Kent Noguera contributed 10 markers for the Baby Wildcats, who snapped out of their two-game slide.

Prince Mallorca came up with a dazzling double-double show of 20 points and 17 rebounds spiked with two assists and three steals but his impressive game went for naught as UCLM fell to 1-2. — (FREEMAN)