The defending champions University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters started the second round of the seniors division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) much in the same way it did the first as they remained undefeated following their 88-84 conquest of the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
UC had to scramble in the game’s waning moments in order to pull off the victory as it trailed every step of the way.
UC now holds a perfect 7-0 (win-loss) record while USC fell to 4-3.
Edward Pao donned the hero’s cape for the Webmasters has his booming three-pointer gave them an 83-82 lead. Then, after USC’s Jabby Bautista made it 84-83, Pao once again rose to the occasion as he canned a short jumper that put the Webmasters in front for good, with 26 seconds left.
UC was trailing 55-62 heading to the final stanza when its main stars came alive to fuel the comeback.
Reigning MVP Junemar Fajardo made 12 of his 18 in the fourth while Brian Heruela, who led the team with 27 markers, made nine in that stretch. Pao finished with 13, eight of which came in that turnaround. Luigi Bercede burned his former team with 12.
Giovanni Padillo led USC with 22 while Sam Hermosa added 15 and Cid Cortes chipped in 14.
In the juniors division, the league-leading Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles plucked their ninth straight win with a 93-61 beating of the Don Bosco Greywolves.
The University of San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars also won over the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens, 68-63, for their second win in nine games.