Menina, Elombi steal show

Power Webmasters to 4-0 start in CESAFI hoopla

CEBU, Philippines — Spunky guard Darrell Shane Menina and Cameroonian import Frederick Elombi masterminded a decisive endgame assault as the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters rallied from an ice-cold start to batter the slumping Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 81-67, and stay perfect at 4-0 in the 18th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum last night.

The Webmasters were literally asleep offensively in the first half, even trailing by 12 points midway in the third period but staged a courageous fightback that saw them breathing fire and brimstone in the closing minutes of the contest to scuttle what could have been an embarrassing defeat.

Menina unloaded 13 of his game-high 29 points in the final stretch, while Elombi tossed in half of his 18 points in the last quarter to pump up life to the once lackluster Webmasters.

The Wildcats, who crumbled after taking a 45-33 lead with still 6:45 remaining in the third canto, were ahead for the last time at 64-61 as Menina and Elombi combined for a total of 16 points in the 20-1 splurge that broke the backs of Wildcats, 81-65,  with only 47 seconds left to play.

Armed with a choking trapping defense, the Webmasters held off the Wildcats to a measly three points in the final six minutes of the contest.

Overall in the fourth, UC outpointed CIT-U, 28-13, to complete a 14-point turnaround.

Menina laced his offensive brilliance with seven dimes, four steals and three rebounds, while Elombi was a monster on the defensive end with 23 rebounds.

John Calvin Jabello contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals while Justine Dacalos had 10 points, six rebounds and as many assists as the Webmasters remained as the only undefeated in the collegiate division.

In sharp contrast, the Wildcats stayed winless in five starts despite a flying start anchored on Kevin Oleodo, Mark Kong, and Jessie Aloro who finished with 42 points combined. (FREEMAN)