UNIVERSITY of Cebu defeated University of Southern Philippines Foundation, 80-67, in a battle of winless teams on Tuesday in the 13th Cesafi men's basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
Big man Kenneth Niones and Kim Gomez scored 20 points apiece as the Webmasters logged their first win in four tries.
USPF, which fell to a league-worst 0-4 win-loss record, got 18 points from Art Camello.
Niones took advantage of the undersized frontline of the Panthers and frolicked inside especially during a brief 8-1 run at the end of the third period that gave the Webmasters some separation. Gomez also added two rebounds, two assists and four steals.
The Panthers stayed close for most of the match until Niones joined another rookie, Noel Villanueva, in that telling run that gave UC a 54-44 lead.
The Webmasters then poured it on and led 64-49 after consecutive baskets by Gomez and Jan Auditor.
The scores:
UC (80) - Gomez 20, Niones 18, Auditor 10, Misa 8, Montilla 7, Sigasig 5, Roche 4, Villanueva 4, Asis 2, Puerto 2, Espiritu 0, Tamparong 0, Santander 0, Miranda 0.
USPF (67) - Camello 18, Smith 11, Badrina 9, Sollano 8, Borces 6, Batac 6, Sano 5, Escanilla 2, Nudalo 2, Culango 0.
Quarterscores: 18-10; 36-28; 54-44; 80-67.
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