THE CEBU leg of the BEST Center Twin Tournament kicked off in exciting fashion as the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons outlasted the University of the Visayas (UV), 58-54, in overtime in the Small Basketeers of the Philippines (SBP) class yesterday at the University of San Carlos North campus gym along Mango Avenue.
The defending champions University of San Carlos (USC) also got its title-retention bid off to a great start as it routed Don Bosco, 61-30.
However, the day belonged to CEC, which kept its composure after losing a nine-point lead at the start of the third canto.
CEC was ahead, 35-26, but was blitzed by UV behind back-to-back three pointers by Jose Dizon that anchored a 9-0 run that tied the game at 35-all with 5:33 remaining.
Still, CEC kept its head in the game and seized a 44-40 lead after baskets by Ryan Tecson and Van Baruc.
But UV did not give in either and tied the game at 44-all after two freethrows by Brice Ngujo and a tough floater by Dizon with 7.4 ticks remaining.
CEC had several shots to win the game but Tecson’s three-pointer and Karl Tiu’s putback could not connect as time expired, sending the game to an extra session.
The Dragons started overtime on fire as Tecson scored their first eight points for a 52-45 lead.
UV relented and came back to tie the game at 54-all after a free-throw by Mark Dumandan and a layup by Soquino with 15.3 seconds left.
CEC had the last say in the game as Tiu broke free for the go-ahead basket. He then added another as the Dragons stole the inbound to seal the victory. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio