Foul called on Batiquin spells doom for CIT-U against second-placer USJ-R

Games today:

Cebu Colisem

1 p.m. – USC vs. SHS-AdC

2:30 p.m. – CIT-U vs. USPF

4 p.m. – UC vs. CEC

5:30 p.m. – SWU vs. UV

The Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats had the second-running University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars on the ropes but had all their efforts taken away with  one blow of a whistle.

The Wildcats fell in controversial fashion, 84-85, against the Jaguars in the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Jaguars were leading most of the way but the Wildcats clawed their way back behind the efforts of versatile forward Allen Dimco to tie the game at 84-all.

Then, the wind was blown away from the sails of CIT-U as during a looseball scramble, Franklin Batiquin was assessed a foul by referee Ado Balongoy with 1.4 ticks remaining—a foul which could have just been a let go considering the time left in the clock.

USJ-R wingman Jayson Olbedado missed the first freebie but made the second for the go-ahead basket.

With no timeouts remaining, Floyd Taboada was forced to heave a prayer that was not answered, leading to CIT-U’s fourth loss in five games. USJ-R improved to 4-1 (win-loss).

After the final horn, CIT-U head coach Gilbert Demape charged Balongoy and all hell nearly broke loose with debris being thrown on the floor.

Before further damage could be done, Demape was restrained by the players and team officials to calm the situation down.

Abulaiz Suliman led the way for USJ-R  with 21 points while Miguel Tabaloc added 17.

Dimco paced CIT-U with 25 markers.

In juniors action, the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers kept the lead in the standings with a 91-49 win over USJ-R.

The University of San Carlos Baby Warriors also outlasted the University of Cebu, 78-72, while the University of Southern Philippines destroyed Don Bosco, 97-56.