Webmasters, Cheetahs slug it out for No.1 spot (UC, CEC in knockout match for last semis berth)

CEBU, Philippines —  Expect an exciting hardcourt action in the last day of elimination round in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 men’s basketball tournament featuring two equally-important matches today (Tuesday, November 26) at the Cebu Coliseum.

In the main game set for 6:45 p.m., the undefeated University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs lock horns for the No.1 spot and a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

Aside from clinching the top seed, the 7-0 Webmasters are also aiming for a historic eight-game sweep in the classification stage, something that they have not done even during the June Mar Fajardo era when UC won back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2011 seasons.

With a 6-1 record, the Cheetahs could still seize the pole post going into the semifinals if they get past the Webmasters.

If they achieve that, the Cheetahs will make history as the first newcomer to emerge as elimination round topnotcher in just its second year in the league.

Before the UC-BC clash, the UC Baby Webmasters and the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons will figure in a sudden-death duel at 5:15 p.m. for the fourth and last semis ticket in the juniors division.

The Baby Webmasters and the Dragons are currently tied with similar 7-3 slates. The winner of their do-or-die collision will face the twice-to-beat top qualifier University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars in the semis beginning Thursday, November 28.

Meanwhile, the East and the West fought to a 108-108 draw in last Sunday’s 2024 CESAFI All-Star Game under the collegiate level. (CEBU NEWS)

Jhiey Paraldo of the UC Webmasters shined the brightest with 28 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks to become the hands down choice as All-Star MVP. He was joined in the Mythical 5 by Kent Ivo Salarda of the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, AJ Tolipas of the BC Cheetahs, Earl Laniton of the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Mustangs, and Jose Zaldy Dizon of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons.

In the showdown of high school stars, Jake Yong of the UC Baby Webmasters hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to lead the East team to an 85-82 victory over the West squad.

Yong finished with 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists to grab the All-Star MVP honors. He automatically made it to the Mythical 5 together with Jan Vince Oringo of the USJ-R Baby Jaguars, Prince Jr Neil Mallorca of UCLM, Alden Paul Cainglet of  the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles, and Fritz Gonzales of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers.

SHS-Ateneo de Cebu’s Froilan Maglasang caught part of the spotlight after being crowned as CESAFI’s 3-point king.