UC rookie shines in upset victory over UV

CEBU, Philippines - Rani Mark Tano made his debut with the University of Cebu a memorable one by knocking in a pair of crucial triples to help the UC Webmasters pull a stunning 75-73 victory over eight-time champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers in the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season the other night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

4:30 pm CIT vs. USJ-R (Jrs.)

6:00 pm CIT vs. UC (Srs.)

Today, the Webmasters of coach Roel Gomez gun for a 2-0 lead when they go up against the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildcats and their debuting coach Gilbert Demape.

Tano’s consecutive tomahawks gave the Webmasters a 68-63 edge at the final 4:58 mark of the contest. He hit another trey moments later, but was nullified as it was ruled a stepping violation from the baseline.

Tano, a native of Zamboanga City, finished with 15 points spiked with three triples, but it was 6-foot-9 beanpole June Mar Fajardo who topscored for the Webmasters with 19 points.

The Lancers had several chances to steal the win but they committed crucial errors particularly in the final 7.3 seconds of the contest when they had possession but the ball was swiped away by Kelvin Juliane.

The Lancers quickly fouled Juliane, who then split his charities to give the Webmasters a shaky 74-70 edge. In the ensuing sequence, Ritchum Dennison burried a triple from the right wing to pull the Lancers within just a hairline, 73-74, but time was not on their side as there was only one second left to play.

Kelvin Quilantang sank one free throw with eight-tenths of a second remaining to settle the final outcome.

Dennison paced the Lancers with 20 points, while Gregory Slaughter and Junjun Lasala each scored 14.

The scores

UC (75) - Fajardo 19, Tano 15, Abella 8, Rogado 8, Quilantang 7, Luceño 6, Gomez 6, Juliane 6

UV (73) - Dennison 20, Slaughter 14, Lasala 14, Olivares 7, Cincoflores 7, Lao 2, Cabahug 2, Diputado 2, Manigque 2, Señeres 2, Mercader 1

Halftime: 38-45   (THE FREEMAN)