CEBU CITY — University of Cebu outhustled the University of Southern Philippines Foundation down the stretch to pull off a 73-61 victory in the 15th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Cebu Coliseum.
JR Puerto had several crucial putbacks in crunchtime to repulse the hard-fighting Panthers and help the Webmasters even their win-loss record 3-3. The Panthers are winless in seven games.
A wiry 6-foot-4 forward, Puerto had 17 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block. Sweet-shooting lefty Melvin Butohan and Joseph Mayol each had 15 points, the latter responsible for the bulk of the points in a telling 11-2 run at the start of the third that turned what was a 32-34 halftime deficit into a 43-36 lead.
Mayol scored three straight 3-pointers as the Webmasters pulled in front and never relinquished the lead.
But UC was not without its fair share of anxious moments after USPF pulled to within four, 56-60, after a Kim Bajamunde corner triple.
Puerto carried the Webmasters to the finish line with a three-point play and a putback while Jan Jabello scored on a lay-up to put UC in front, 67-58, with 1:08 left.
Gilbert Sastrillas scored 12 while John Alocillo added 10 for USPF.
In the juniors division, the USPF Baby Panthers routed the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens, 77-56.
Ain Obenza had 18 points, nine boards and four steals as USPF’s high school team improved to 4-3, while the Wildkittens could not sustain the momentum they gained from their successful weekend and fell to 3-5.
The scores:
SENIORS
UC 73 - Puerto 17, Jabello 16, Mayol 15, Butohan 15, Culango 4, Suelto 2, Codilla 2, Grafilo 2, Dacalos 0, Tagudin 0, Montilla 0.
USPF 61 - Sastrillas 12, Borces 11, Alocillo 10, Quiachon 8, Bolivar 5, Avanceña 4, Bajamunde 4, Langahin 4, Ceniza 3, Patalinghug 0, Villamor 0, Laver 0.
Quarterscores: 15-13; 32-34; 50-47; 73-61.
JUNIORS
USPF 77 - Obenza 18, Cometa 13, Peligrino 11, Hernando 9, Archival 7, Soon 6, Sandoval 4, Lequin 4, Macalam 3, Ybañez 2, Justol 0, Urot 0, Tajo 0.
CIT-U 56 - Berezo 11, Ares 10, Abinuman 10, Colonia 8, Villarico 5, Patrimonio 3, Marata 3, Suson 2, Hapin 2, Nisnisan 1, Cabarrubias 0, Vallena 0.
Quarterscores: 25-4; 39-19; 53-38; 77-56.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph