CESAFI CAGING UC blasts USC, 77-67

CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters stymied a fourth quarter rally by the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors and then scored a decisive 9-0 run en route to a 77-67 victory in last Tuesday's game of the 11th season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) at the Cebu Coliseum.   

The Webmasters who hold a 2-0 win-loss record, will be taking a long break starting today because they will compete in the 26th Universiade in Shenzhen, China.

Upon their return, they will stake their clean slate when they test the much-hyped and serious title threat in Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras led by 6-6 Cameroonian Justin Aboude.

Being there in China for more than a week, the Webmasters have four consecutive games lined up for them that will include the Cobras on August 25, against CIT-U Wildcats on the 27th, a finals rematch against the UV Green Lancers the following day and against the USP-F Panthers on the 30th.

Challenged by the Warriors the entire first half with a precarious 34-33 lead at the intermission, the Webmasters had to rely on the height advantage of 6-9 center June Mar Fajardo as they dominated the third period where they posted a 54-44 lead before the Warriors ended the period with a 51-56 deficit.

The Warriors mindset of making a run still continued in the fourth period when Sam Jordan Hermosa hit a three-pointer as they came within a duo, 60-62 still 5:17 to go in the ballgame but after Krist Edward Pao grabbed it back with his own trey, 65-60, the Webmasters have to keep their poise under heavy pressure and never allowed the Warriors to stay close again.

Fajardo was consistent in the entire fourth period except for the rare two missed free throws in the closing minutes and led the Webmasters' offense with 25 points. Rookie Jan Michael Auditor was a big factor scoring 14 points and Francis Luigi Bercede scored 11 points.   

Gerald Ampoon who had a crucial triple in the third period, added 12 markers for UC.

Hermosa and Joven Cortes had 16 and 14 points, respectively for the Warriors who used a vintage design on their yellow jerseys.

June Michael Cantonao, a feared three-point deadshot had his output limited to 11 points.

The scores:

UV (Coll.) 77 - Fajardo 25, Auditor 14, Ampoon 12, Bercede 11, Pao 7, Batino 4, Aranas 2, Bagnol 2   

USC (Coll.) 67 - Hermosa 16,  Cortes 14, Cantonao 11, Codilla 6, Magat 6, Padillo 4, Otida 4, Panerio 4, Duran 2. - THE FREEMAN