CEBU CITY – Cebu Institute of Technology-University ended a 14-year winless spell against University of the Visayas as it took down the reigning champions, 67-60, in the 2014 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.
One of only two teams without an import, the Wildcats relied on sophomore Joshua de la Cerna and the returning Allan Dimco to stun the many-time champions and register their first win against UV in league history.
De la Cerna had 28 points and nine rebounds while Dimco, who missed all of last season because of academic issues, added 22 markers, eight boards and four blocks.
The duo also provided the needed kick to finish off the Lancers in crunchtime. The Wildcats were ahead by nine, 64-55, after De la Cerna scored on a transition bucket and Dimco drained a fadeaway jumper.
But the Lancers, whose new import Jeffakins Aguara injured his ankle in the first half, came within four in just nine seconds after Franz Arong swished a three-pointer and Alwyn Aguirre converted a lay-up with 1:20 remaining.
CIT-U sealed the win with free-throws by De la Cerna and Franklin Batiquin.
Playing in their first game without former Rookie-MVP Wowie Escosio, the Lancers struggled got just nine points each from guards John Abad and Alfred Codilla.
The scores:
CIT-U (67) - De La Cerna 28, Dimco 22, Batiquin 8, Undaloc 3, Bucao 3, Taghoy 2, Kong 1, Pono 0, Aloro 0, Munez 0, Patino 0.
UV (60) - Abad 9, Codilla 9, Santillan 8, Octobre 6, Perolino 6, Aguirre 6, Arong 5, Napao 5, Aguara 2, Manzo 2, Soliva 2, Mpouma 0, Marquez 0, Segumpan 0.
Quarterscores: 19-8; 30-26; 46-44; 67-60.