UC survives CIT-U scare, 95-89

CEBU, Philippines - The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters have secured the top spot of the double-round eliminations with a thrilling 95-89 victory over Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats in the CESAFI hoop wars last Saturday night.

Much of the credit for UC’s win can go to the tandem of Gerald Ampoon, who had his break out game, and beanpole June Mar Fajardo.

Ampoon fired his season-high 30 points, including six triples, while Fajardo dominated the paint en route to a game-high 35 for the Webmasters.

Games tomorrow: (Cebu Coliseum)

5:15 pm SHS-AdC vs. CEC (Jrs.)

6:45 pm USPF vs. UV (Srs.)

The highly-favored Webmasters found themselves in a tough bind as they entered the final canto down by 14 points, 61-75.

Without wasting any second, UC came charging at the start of the final period and crippled the Wildcats with a 22-5 run.

When the smoke cleared, the Webmasters dominated the last canto 34-14.

While its offense was working well, it wasn’t until the last four minutes of play that UC somehow saw the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

It was at this point when Ampoon scored five straight points including a triple to give UC the lead, 83-82.

His fifth triple of the night later also gave them an 88-87 lead with 2:10 to go before the final buzzer.

Ampoon’s sixth and final triple of the night sealed the final tally.

Marked gunner Robinson Mohammad had another poor scoring night, but bulky swingman Edward Pao fired 13 points for UC.

Brian Quinton Huruela and Luigi Bercede helped provide the defense for the Webmasters.

With a 10-1 win-loss record, the Webmasters are assured of a twice-to-beat advantage no matter what happens to their final game against the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras on Thursday.

The Webmasters wanted to rest their starting unit against the Wildcats, but were forced to put them in to avert an upset.

 The Cobras and last year's losing finalists University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, who are fighting for the second semifinals spot, were still playing as of presstime.

Allan Dimco who had also one of his finest games of the season, finished with 28 points for the Wildcats who bowed out with a 1-11 win-loss card.

The scores:

UC (Srs.) 95 – Fajardo 35, Ampoon 30, Pao 13, Bercede 7, Caytuna 5, Mohammad 3, Heruela 2

CIT-U (Srs.) 89 – Dimco 28, Taboada 19, Batiquin 13, Curso 10, Taghoy 8, Rabaya 6, Sanchez 5 Halftime: 39-49. - THE FREEMAN