El Rancho-CIT stages great escape

The El Rancho-Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildcats were smarting from a 14-point deficit, but staged a dazzling fourth-quarter comeback to escape with a 74-70 win over the Cebu Landmaster-University of Southern Philippines (USPF) Panthers in the Partner's Cup collegiate basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Trailing at 35-49, El Rancho did not give up and instead put their acts together proving that there is no antidote for a stifling defense which resulted to USP's monumental endgame collapse.

The El Rancho stalwarts applied a crippling full-court press and they had great success in denying an inboud pass to USP's ball carriers that shackled the Panthers' offensive flow.

CIT's big turnaround was completed when top gunner Sherwin Abobo hit a basketball to put the El Rancho-backed squad in front, 69-68, with 1:41 left to play. The last time USPF enjoyed the lead was at 68-65, with a little over two minutes remaining in the contest.

The Cebu Landmaster still had a chance to come close, but Ceniza and Rodel Quinao just made one free throw each. Had they nailed all their four free throws, they could have tied the count at 72-all.

Abobo later drilled his charities in the final 19 seconds to seal CIT's triumph.

Abobo topscored for CIT with 25 points, while Jerry Lumongsod finished with 13 markers for CIT, which notched its second victory in six games.

It was Moncrif Rogado who paced USP with 21 points, but his excellent game couldn't save USPF from absorbing its sixth straight defeat in as many games. Dominic Ceniza and John Gulane chipped in with 25 points combined.