Kia Motors-CIT-U eliminates Gaisano Tisa-backed Webmasters from Partner’s Cup race

The Kia Motors-Cebu Institute of Technology Wildcats gave the Gaisano Tisa-University of Cebu Webmasters the boot as they survived the reigning champions of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc., 100-97, in a gritty game during the final day of the quarterfinal round of the Partner’s Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Wildcats leaned on their steady freethrow shooting in the waning seconds to preserve their lead even as the Webmasters bombed away from beyond the three-point arc.

Typical of their stint in this tournament, UC’s Jan Auditor had a shot at tying the game but his trey attempt rattled in and out with just 23.7 ticks left.

Later, Floyd Taboada, Vincent Menguito and Franklin Batiquin all hit freethrows that sealed the deal and their team’s entry into the semifinal round.

The loss by UC was its third straight in this round while Kia Motors finished a 2-1 (win-loss) mark, after losing 80-90, to the Lion Tiger Aerosol-University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars, late Saturday night.

In that game, Banjo Capilar exploded for 22 markers as USJ-R clawed its way back from a 12-point halftime deficit with a fantastic second half performance.

Allen Dimco led Kia Motors with 20 points while Vincent Menguito added 17. Joshua dela Cerna chipped in with 15, all of which came in the second period, where the Wildcats held a 46-38 lead.