CEBU CITY — Cebu Institute of Technology-University overcame University of San Jose-Recoletos in a tight endgame, 82-79, in the Cesafi basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum on Saturday.
Clark Con-ui sank a three-pointer with 37 seconds remaining to give the Wildcats a 78-77 lead. Two free-throws from guard JC Escalona pushed the Wildcats’ lead to three, 80-77, but Miguel Gastador pulled the Jaguars to within a point after two made free-throws with just 8.2 seconds remaining.
Karl Malone Ventura sealed the win for CIT-U by making two pressure-packed free-throws.
The Wildcats scored their second win in eight games.
Jesse Aloro Jr. scored 25 points, Ventura had 15 markers, while John Clarete added 10 for CIT-U.
Elmer Echavez scored 23 points to lead USJ-R, which dropped to 2-7.
Runners-up last season, the Jaguars now have the worst record in the league.
The scores:
CIT-U 82 - Aloro 25, Ventura 15, Clarete 10, Proel 8, Escalona 7, Jabonete 7, Con-ui 6
USJ-R 79 - Echavez 23, Gastador 19, Camara 11, Pascua 9, Robles 6, Solomon 4, Mendoza 3, Butcon 2, Rodriguez 2.