Warriors foil Panthers’ bid to top standings

Games Thursday (Cebu Coliseum)
5:15 p.m. – UC vs. UV
6:45 p.m. – SWU vs. UC

The University of San Carlos Warriors pulled the University of Southern Philippines Foundation back down to earth as they destroyed the Panthers, 87-78, in the seniors division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) basketball tournament late Tuesday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The final tally though, was not indicative of how one-sided the game was as the Warriors shot the lights out from beyond the three-point arc in the first period, which set the tone for the rest of the game. The Panthers were aiming for the solo lead in the standings after defeating the University of San Jose-Recoletos and surprisingly, Southwestern University.

However, it was not meant to be for USPF as Mike Cantonao waxed hot from the opening tip, hitting four three-pointers that propelled the Warriors to a 15-0 lead. All in all, USC converted six trifectas in the opening period that gave them a, 25-9 lead. As if that was not enough, USC started the second canto the same way it did the first as they rattled off 12 unanswered points for a 37-11 edge. The first half mercifully ended with the Warriors ahead, 50-23.

Cantonao finished the game with six three-pointers en route to tallying 19 points while Cid Cortes and Sam Hermosa added 13 and 12, respectively. Fritz Dajalos paced USPF with 20 while James Ferraren chipped in with 19. USC is now at 3-2 while USPF fell to 2-1.

UC BATTLES SWU TODAY

Meanwhile, today’s playdate will be highlighted by the much-anticipated match-up between the reigning champions University of Cebu Webmasters and the Southwestern University Cobras. The Webmasters are coming off a disastrous stint in the 2011 Universiade where they got blown out in every game they played in. The Cobras on the other hand, are still riding the crest of their morale-boosting win against the University of the Visayas Green Lancers.

This will also be the first meeting between UC’s behemoth, 6-foot-10 Junemar Fajardo and SWU’s 6-foot-7 Cameroonian Justin Aboude.