Fajardo helps Webmasters rip Olympians

MANILA, Philippines - Junmar Fajardo put up a monster performance of 49 points and 24 rebounds as University of Cebu toppled a tough STI side, 99-90, to arrange a showdown with Southwestern University in the PCCL Sweet 16 Finals at the Ormoc Astrodome in Ormoc City yesterday.

Fajardo dominated the paint and crashed the boards with impunity although the Webmasters, the CESAFI back-to-back champions, had to toughen up at endgame to fend off the stubborn Olympians and set up a duel with the SWU Cobras for the Southern Islands overall championship.

The Cobras beat the Visayas champion AMA Titans, 90-61, in the other game with Justin Aboreda firing 21 points and Eleazar Armecin adding 15 points.

Von Tambeling hit 18 points and Amora Jonathan added 17 markers for the Titans.

The UC-SWU showdown is a repeat of the recent CESAFI championship series won by the Webmasters.

UC took a 39-34 lead at the turn but STI, behind Rob Tamporong, threatened within one at 67-68 before Fajardo took over.

Luigi Bercede backed Fajardo with 15 points while Tamporong topscored for the Olympians with 38 points with Jun Daanoy adding 21 markers.

UC, managed by Atty. Baldomero Estenzo, is the defending Southern Island champion, while SWU is eyeing for a seat in the Final Four in its maiden appearance in the Sweet 16 Finals.

San Sebastian and Letran are also in Ormoc City to clash for the Luzon-Metro Manila bracket title and a seat in the Final Four where Ateneo and San Beda have been seeded.

The Final Four is set to start Dec. 5 at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The games will be covered live by ABS-CBN Sports on Studio 23.

The PCCL National Collegiate Championship is backed by Smart, M.V. Pangilinan, Molten Balls, FilOil Flying V and SM Ticketing.