MANILA, Philippines — Den Rick Orgong fired 22 points with four rebounds, one assist and two steals as the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs downed the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 69-62, for their sixth victory in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament Monday night, October 5, at the Cebu Coliseum.
Alcher John Pabalan added 14 points, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal, while Serge Gabines, Kenneth Babalcon and John Carlos Sabroso combined for 24 points, 22 rebounds, 12 assists, six steals and three blocks for the Cheetahs, who joined four-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers at the top of the college division standings with identical 6-1 win-loss records.
The Cheetahs actually trailed by nine, 29-38, at halftime and were still down by three, 47-50, after three quarters but launched a daring endgame fightback, 22-12, to turn the tables on the Warriors.
Overall, the Cheetahs outscored the Warriors in the second half, 40-24.
Jhoernel Tangkay had 14 points, three rebounds, four assists and four steals, but his all-around effort went unrewarded as the Warriors fell to 5-3.
In high school play, Mark Jovil Datoon and Jade Bialan both delivered impressive double-doubles as the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters outlasted the UV Baby Lancers in overtime, 76-67, to grab the solo lead in the juniors division with a 6-1 slate.
Datoon erupted for a game-high 27 points with 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Bialan chipped in 11 points, 16 rebounds, one assist, two steals and seven blocks in another splendid display of hardcourt versatility.
Jay Xander Bulagsak also made an impression for the Junior Webmasters with 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists, five steals and a block.
Liam Terrence Chua top-scored for UV with 13 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block, while Kirbey Borbon posted an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Cyruz James Generol also had 11 points with two rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Jancy Llyco Ventura finished with 10 points, but their efforts went for naught as the Baby Lancers suffered their third loss in five games.