CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats (CIT-U) have accomplished a rare feat, something they never did in the past 13 years after they stunned the defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 67-60, in the 14th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Wildcats of coach Gilbert Demape already sensed victory after they moved ahead by nine points, 64-55, in the final 1:35 mark of the contest. They made the most from the opportunity when UV's star rookie June Kent Manzo and Cameroonian recruit Jeffakins Aguara got injured as early as in the first period.
Demape relied too much on the five-star unit of Joshua de la Cerna, Franklyn Batiquin, Jose Marlo Pono, Jeffrey Taghoy and the comebacking Allan Dimco that never made any substitutions in the final period.
The Lancers, showing the stuff that champions are made of, made five quick points to move within striking distance, 60-64, with 1:20 left to play.
However, De la Cerna's two free throws and a split by Batiquin coupled with some solid defensive stops sealed the deal for the Wildcats.
De la Cerna topscored for the Wildcats with 25 points, while Dimco banged in 22 markers. The Lancers may have a balanced scoring but none of them scored in double figures with John Michael Abad and Alfred Codilla cashing in only nine points apiece.
Earlier, the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors came up with an 82-29 massacre of Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC), while the UV Baby Lancers mauled the CIT-U Wildkittens, 72-59.
John Carl Escalona had 21 points for the Baby Lancers, while Justin Jules Langres led the Wildkittens with 20 points.
Joseph Echeverri paced the Baby Warriors with 20 points. Mark Anthony John Agustinez was the only Greywloves in twin digit with 10. (FREEMAN)