USC Warriors nail first win

CEBU, Philippines — The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors dominated the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 69-52, to finally barge into the win column of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 basketball tournament on Sunday, October 13, at the Cebu Coliseum.

James Paolo Gica scored 14 points on top of six rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Kyle Maglinte added 13 points, seven boards, one assist, and two steals to help the Warriors snap out of their four-game jinx.

The Warriors were ahead by only five at the break, 31-26, but launched a decisive 19-9 attack in the third frame to take full control of the match with a 50-35 advantage entering the final 10 minutes.

Jerian Marc Abello fired 20 points but his singular offensive outburst went for naught as the Wildcats stumbled for the second time in three starts.

On the other hand, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars blasted the Benedicto College (BC) Baby Cheetahs, 63-40, to take the solo third spot in juniors division standings with a 4-1 win-loss record.

Jan Vince Oringo, who shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line, paced the Baby Jaguars with a double-double show of 14 points and 12 rebounds.

J Lord Pepito, Gynlester Epa, and Jan Francis Petilos connived for 27 points and  21 rebounds for the Baby Jaguars, who led by as much as 26 points, 61-35, late in the game.

John Kenneth Bihag finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists for the Baby Cheetahs, who crashed to their fifth defeat against only one victory.

In the other result, Fritz John Cary Gonzales collected 15 points, nine rebounds and two steals while AJ Kyle de los Santos chipped in 13 points, one rebound, three assists and three steals as the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers  pummeled the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC)-Cebu Greywolves, 87-53.

Champ Davidson Brigoli and Rhelance Lacerna tallied 10 markers apiece for the Baby Panthers, who were in complete command since coasting to a 42-24 lead at halftime, which ballooned to as high as 38 points, 87-49, in the waning seconds of the lopsided duel.

Angelo de la Cruz had 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists for the Greywolves, who fell to 1-4. — (FREEMAN)