UC rolls into semis

CEBU, Philippines - With vengeance at the back of their minds, the top-ranked University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters dismantled the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Greywolves by 48 points, 118-70, to advance into the semifinals of the 9th Cebu Schools athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Webmasters will face next fourth-ranked University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in the semis starting on Tuesday.

Moncrief Rogado, who was missing in action during their 74-77 loss to the Greywolves, returned in explosive fashion, pumping in 31 points for the Webmasters who did not give the Greywolves any fighting chance after closing the first half with a commanding 54-29 advantage.

6-foot-11 center June Mar Fajardo was also a factor in the offensive end, dishing out 24 points as the Webmasters sent the Greywolves wobbling towards the end with a 47-point advantage, 108-61, at the final 4:33 mark of the contest.

With still 2:31 left to play, UC coach Roel Gomez already pulled out his key players to give his second-stringers a chance to show their wares.

Janssen Abella chipped in 17 markers for UC, while back-up guard Keith Cayanong contributed 10 points.

The Greywolves, who missed the services of top gunner Alain de los Santos, were led by Jefford Aldave with 21 points, 10 of them in the first period, while Celso Colegado, Jr. added 19 points.

As of this writing last night, the third seed University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and sixth-ranked Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildcats were still wrestling for the fourth and last semifinal slot.

The scores

UC (118) - Rogado 31, Fajardo 24, Abella 17, Cayanong 10, Juliane 8, Gomez 8, Miranda 6, Bernil 5, Quilantang 2, Luceño 2, Cueva 2, Tano 2, Cabrera 1

DBTC (70) - Aldave 21, Colegado 19, Castro 8, Cabrilles 8, Cinco 5, Georsua 4, Juntilla 3, Hernando 2 Halftime: 54-29    (FREEMAN NEWS)