The San Marino Corned Tuna-Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT-U) Wildcats and the Cebu Landmasters-University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors booked their tickets to the semifinal round in contrasting fashion after they upended their opponents in yesterday’s quarterfinal action in the 2013 Enervon-Cesafi Partner’s Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Wildcats had an easy time disposing of the lowly Raphael’s Sports Bar-University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 81-63, behind the 18 points of Allen Dimco and the 15-point production of both Vincent Menguito and Floyd Taboada.
However, the other quarterfinal matchup painted a different picture as the Warriors had to survive the 37-point explosion of Lion Tiger-University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers wingman Joseph Sedurifa to prevail, 93-88, in overtime.
For a while, the Warriors appeared to be headed towards a comfortable victory as they entered the fourth canto on top by 14, 64-50.
But the Panthers clawed their way into the lead, 67-64, with an incredible 17-0 run spearheaded by Sedurifa, who had 11 in that stretch.
The two teams went at it back and forth but the Warriors gained a 79-76 lead after a fastbreak basket by Charles Pepito and a freethrow by Stephen Que with 8.6 left on the clock. The Panthers tied the game with a well-executed play that saw Sedurifa sink the game-tying three pointer from the corner.
The Warriors had a chance to win the game in regulation but Pepito botched a wide-open jumper at the buzzer.
Cebu Landmasters asserted itself in overtime and scored nine straight points for an 88-81 lead. But just like the previous canto, the Panthers got to within three, 88-91, after an inside basket by Sedurifa with 30.1 seconds remaining. But this time, the Warriors put the game away with freethrows by Ian Ortega.
Que paced the Warriors with 19 while Pepito added 18. Nico Magat also had a stellar role in the win as he chipped in 17 points.
The undermanned Panthers, who only had 10 players attend the game, got 17 from Art Camello and 16 from Lawrence Escanilla.
The round robin semifinal round kick off on Thursday with Prime Asia-University of the Visayas and Gaisano Capital South-University of Cebu tangling with the Warriors and the Wildcats, respectively.