Diapera saves USPF anew

Games Wednesday:
Cebu Coliseum
5:15 p.m. – CIT-U vs. DBC (jrs.)
6:45 p.m. – USPF vs. UC (srs.)

JUST AS HE HAS DONE many times this season, veteran gunner Rommel Diapera rose to the occasion to bail out his University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers from the jaws of defeat as they bested the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters, 81-70, in the juniors division of the CESAFI basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Diapera scored a whopping 31 points. More importantly, he tallied 20 in the second half, which repulsed the many attempts of the Baby Webmasters to come roaring back.

USPF was ahead, 44-32, at halftime and pushed their lead to 14, 60-46, after an 8-0 run anchored on the shotmaking prowess of Diapera.

UC’s shocktroopers gave the team a huge lift as they fueled a blistering 13-0 blast with baskets coming from Matthew Grafilo, Filbert Almario, Kerr Nemil and Noel Villaceran to allow them to come within just one, 59-60, heading to the last period.

But Diapera, who once scored an incredible 55 points two seasons ago, poured in 10 in a 15-2 run that put the game away for the Baby Panthers.

When the dust settled, USPF had established a 75-61 lead, an advantage that was not threatened from thereonend.

Jason Cando helped USPF with 17 points as they improved their record to 5-4 (win-loss). Andrey Armenion paced UC with 18.

Meanwhile, the reigning champions UC Webmasters aim to keep their unbeaten streak going today when they face off against the USPF Panthers in the seniors division.

The juniors class will feature the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens, who are fresh off their stirring conquest of the once-undefeated Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles last Saturday, taking on Don Bosco.