CEC erases nine-point deficit in last two minutes to beat UV in Cesafi juniors semis

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

5 p.m. – UV vs. USJ-R

6:45 p.m. – SWU vs. USC

The Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons continued their incredible run in the semifinals as they came roaring back from a nine-point deficit in the final two minutes to edge the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, 67-65, in the juniors division of the 13th Cesafi basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The win allowed CEC to sweep the first round of the semis with a clean 3-0 (win-loss) record. However, it did not come on a silver platter as the Dragons had to lean on a defensive stop by Chris Salac and a fastbreak layup by Marc Obado with 5.2 seconds left to pull off the improbable win.

Obado finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks while Alfonso Alvizo added 12.

Facing a 56-65 deficit with 2:02 left, the Dragons dug deep and came to within three, 62-65, with 1:17 remaining after a bank shot by Richmond Buli-Buli, two made freethrows by Mark Roa and a layup by Denzel Sabroso.

CEC’s pesky defense forced UV’s John Escalona into an offensive foul, which it took advantage of by tying the game via a three pointer by Buli-Buli with 31.6 seconds left.

UV still had a shot at winning the game but had the ball stolen away from Jun Manzo by Salac, who then passed to a streaking Obado for the go-ahead basket.

In the first game, the defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles won their second straight game in this round after they beat the University of San Carlos Baby Warriors, 78-72.