Warriors back on top

CEBU, Philippines – After an embarrassing 31-point loss to the University of the Visayas Green Lancers, the University of San Carlos Warriors quickly got back on the winning track at the expense of the University of Cebu Webmasters, 87-73, to regain the solo lead in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Ian Tagapan topscored with 20 points and Victor Rabat banged in 17 markers as they sparked a blazing third-quarter burst that doused cold water on a spirited comeback attempt by the Webmasters.

Trailing by a dozen points after the first period, 8-20, the Webmasters courageously fought their way back to pull within just three points, 38-41, but that was the best they could muster as Rabat bombarded four consecutive 3-pointers and Tagapan churned out eight straight points in a searing 26-11 run that gave the Warriors their biggest lead at 18 points, 67-49, with still 9:13 left to play.

The Webmasters threatened for the last time at 67-73 as Tagapan, Laguyo and  William MacAloney connived in a 12-4 run that sealed the deal for the Warriors, 85-71, with only 15 ticks remaining in the gameclock.

McAloney finished with 15 points, while Charles Pepito nailed 13 markers for the Warriors, who sprang back to the top of the leaderboard with a 10-2 win-loss record.

Graciano Puerto chalked up 22 points, while Justine Dacalos and John Jabello netted 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Webmasters, who dropped to 4-7 and are already out of the semifinal race even if they hurdle their final elimination round assignment against the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars on September 26.

The Jaguars earlier kept their Final Four bid alive after gunning down the listless University of Southern

Philippines Foundation Panthers, 88-81. USPF now holds a 5-6 win-loss card, while USPF bowed out of the tournament winless in 12 games.

Juan Miguel Gastador had a breakout performance of 22 points, while Kevin Villafranca, Ralph Dinolan and Jaybee Mantilla combined for 44 points for the Jaguars, who need only to beat the Webmasters in their last game to formalize their semis entry. — EBV (FREEMAN)