2009 Cesafi juniors champions Wildkittens trounce USJ-R Baby Jaguars in first outing

After a dismal showing last year following their championship season in 2009, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens got their brand-new season off to a rousing start as they edged the University of San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars, 59-56, in the juniors division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Nikko Otaduy capped off his brilliant performance yesterday by canning the game-winning three-pointer with 4.2 seconds left in the contest that shattered a 56-all standoff.

His shot completed the Wildkittens’ improbable comeback from a 16-point deficit in the third period.

Otaduy actually gave CIT the lead at 56-54 with a coast-to-coast lay in with 1:08 remaining in the tightly fought contest. However, on the ensuing possession, the game was tied once more after a putback by Al Jaynee Bayucot with less than a minute left.

CIT’s diminutive guard, Mark Laguna dribbled the ball up the floor and deftly dished it off to Otayud, who fired the three-pointer from the right wing with a hand in his face.

The ball softly swished through the basket, much to the jubilation of the partisan crowd.

USJ-R had a chance to tie the game but Roland Hermosilla’s desperation try hit the side of the board.

The game seemed lost for the Wildkittens as they got down, 26-42, in the third after USJ-R rattled off an 8-2 run.