CEBU, Philippines – For almost the entire game when they struggled and craved for points, the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters have only one person in mind that could provide the answer - Junemar Fajardo.
The 6-foot-9 skyscraper did not disappoint his comrades.
Fajardo, a strong MVP contender, delivered the goods to the letter by firing in 30 of his season-high 43 points in the second half that buoyed the Webmasters to an 86-79 victory over University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) last Tuesday night 10th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) at the Cebu Coliseum.
Fajardo, the most fouled player in the league, went 13-of-20 from the striple to help UC overcome the tenacious and upset-seeking Panthers.
Leading by eight points midway in the final period, 72-64, the Webmasters were caught flat-footed when the Panthers responsded with an 8-0 blitz to tie the count at 72-all with still 3:46 left to play.
The Webmasters were still not off the hook in the final 38.2 seconds of the contest when Fritz Dajalos nailed a triple to pull USPF within just thee points, 79-82.
But Fajardo and Robinson Mohammad quickly came to the rescue and put the game away for UC by scoring thge game's last four points.
Everytime the Panthers were forced to foul Fajardo at the paint, the Webmasters almost had sure points from the free throw line. And USPF's going into the penalty situation ahead in the third and fourth quarters also went to UC's advantage.
Ever productive playmaker Kevin Juliane ably backed up Fajardo with 20 points as the Webmasters tightened their grip of the solo second spot with a 5-1 win-loss record.
Dajalos led the Panthers with 18 points, while Anthony Linao added 14 points followed by Elwin Durano with 11.
The Panthers, who were plagued with costly technical fouls for resenting the referees' calls - one each from Lawrence Miguel Marano, Jordan Bardillas and coach Raul Latonio, Sr. - further wallowed down the mire without win to show in six starts. (FREEMAN)