Webmasters, Panthers renew rivalry in clash of unbeatens

CEBU, Philippines — The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers will relit the flame of their scathing rivarly as they figure in an exciting battle of undefeated teams in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 23 Men’s Basketball Tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Both sporting clean 3-0 slates, the Webmasters and the Panthers will collide against each other at 5 p.m., with the winner earning a share of the college division lead with the 4-0 defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers.

Expect a grudge match between the two sides just like last season wherein the Webmasters had to overcome the twice-to-beat Panthers before reaching the CESAFI Finals for the first time since 2017.

In the other collegiate match-up at 3:30 p.m., the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, who are on a hot streak winning three of their first four games, will go up against the skidding Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Mustangs, who dropped four straight games since hurdling their league debut against the Felipe R. Verallo

Foundation College (FRVFC) Blue Dragons last September 23.

In the high school category, reigning titleholders Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles will clash with the City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy (CBSAA) Trailblazers in a rematch of last year’s finals set at 2 p.m.

Things are completely different now though for the Traiblazers, who are languishing at the cellar without a win in three starts.

On the other hand, the Magis Eagles are on a rampage, piling up three successive victories since stumbling in their opening match against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars.

In the 12:30 p.m. opener, the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons hope to nail a rare three straight wins as they tackle the UV Baby Lancers.

The Dragons are currently at solo third in the leaderboard with a 4-1 record while the Baby Lancers are at sixth with an even 2-2 slate. — (FREEMAN)