Webmasters repeat over Panthers

CEBU, Philippines – The University of Cebu Webmasters rode on the scintillating show of Graciano Puerto and Melvin Butohan in coming up with a repeat 73-61 performance over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Pagadian City-native Puerto had a breakout performance of 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Butohan banged in 15 points on top of six caroms as the Webmasters bettered their win-loss to 3-3 while prolonging the agony of the Panthers who further languished at the cellar without a win in seven games.

Puerto, who also had four blocks and three assists in an all-around hardcourt versatility, pumped in 10 points in the fourth quarter spotlighted by two crucial three-point plays that became the turning point of the Webmasters victory that duplicated their 91-69 conquest of the Panthers last August 4.

After the Panthers threatened at 52-55, Puerto completed a three-point play to give the Webmasters a 58-52 breather at the final four-minute mark.

When the Webmasters pulled closer again, 56-60, Puerto made another 3-point play before scoring four more points in a row in a 11-2 blitz that ensured their win at 71-58 cushion with only 27 seconds left to play.

The Webmasters, who quickly recovered after losing an early 10-0 lead, flashed another great defensive effort.They literally grounded the Panthers with their tireless full-court press and hassle plays, which are truly their best weapons given their smaller lineup that is without a foreign reinforcement.

Joseph Mayol chipped in 15 points, including three straight 3-pointers in an 11-0 rally that gave the lead back to the Webmasters for good, 43-36, after the Panthers briefly wrested the driver's seat, 36-32, early in the third canto.

In the juniors division play, the USPF Panthers unleashed a telling offensive blow in the opening quarter to smother the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens, 77-56.

Ain Obenza unloaded 18 points on top of nine rebounds and four steals, while George Cometa tossed in 13 markers for the Baby Panthers, who practically put the win in their bag after sprinting to a commanding 25-4 lead at the end of the first period. Their largest advantage though stood at 23 points they held twice, the last was at 50-27 count with 3:55 left in the third period.

It was cruise control for the Baby Panthers from there onwards. Allen Pelegrino added 11 points and seven rebounds as they bettered their win-loss record to 4-3.

Jasper Berezo and Marion Abinuman nailed 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Wildkittens, who could not sustain their momentum coming off a huge upset over the University of San Carlos Baby Warriors on the way to absorb their fifth loss in eight starts. (FREEMAN)