USC stuns SWU

CEBU, Philippines – The depleted University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors shocked the erratic Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, 72-56, even as the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters cruised to their fourth consecutive win at the expense of the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Greywolves, 88-77, last Sunday in the 10th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) season at the Cebu Coliseum.

In the high school match-ups, the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons devoured the USC Baby Warriors, 88-68, to improve their win-loss record to 3-1, while the UC Junior Webmasters escaped with a 69-67 win over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars.

Reliable shooter Michael Cantonao scored 16 points and ace slotman Joven Cid Cortes added 13 points as the Warriors, who outrebounded the Cobras, 44-21, are now tied with their victims with identical 2-2 win-loss records.

Guard Nilton John Otida had 12 points and Sam Hermosa added 10 for the Warriors, whose great defensive effort caused the Cobras into a horrible outside shooting and their great rebounding denied the latter any second-chance points.

The Warriors also spoiled the return of two Cobras’ big men Clifford Maguate and Ritchie Jalandoni, who just combined for 16 points. Compounding the Cobras’ woes was the absence of top pointguard Arrd Diango, who is still recuperating from a left shoulder injury.

Only Eleazar Armecin registered double figures for the Cobras with 18 points.

With time winding down in the fourth period, the Warriors started hitting well contrary to the Cobras, who were in the thick of the fight only in the first half where they trailed by just three at halftime, 27-30.

In the other game, Junemar Fajardo charted 17 points as the Webmasters stretched their unbeaten streak to four. Gerald Ampoon finished with 15 points, while Kelvin Juliane and rookie Erden Glen Magallanes scored 12 points apiece.

The 1-3 Greywolves were led by Clarito Hernando Jr. followed by Jefford Aldave with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Benjamin James Zosa paced the Dragons with 21 points, while Francis Dave Guardario had 20 points for the Baby Warriors.

The Junior Webmasters were led by Alvin Labolabo Jr. with 15 points, while the winless Baby Jaguars were topscored by Julius de la Cerna Jr. with a game-high 25 points. (FREEMAN)