Webmasters trounce Lancers to brighten up semis chances

CEBU, Philippines —  The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters scored what is by far their biggest triumph in the 2022 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season after they clobbered the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 85-66, on Sunday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Promising guard Joseph Arth Nalos dropped 16 of his season-high 20 points in the second half laced with two rebounds and three assists for the Webmasters, who whipped up a furious offensive storm in the final quarter to turn the once close battle into a lopsided match.

The wards of coach Kernn Sesante were ahead by just two after the third canto, 55-53, but Nalos, Jhiey Paraldo, John Regie Daab, and Jasper Pacaña put their acts together in a devastating 30-13 endgame attack that catapulted the Webmasters to a 19-point rout of the league-leading Lancers.

Paraldo and Pacaña tallied 14 markers apiece while Daab contributed 12 points as the Webmasters brightened up their semifinal chances with an even 4-4 record in a tie with the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars.

Rovello Robles was the lone double-digit scorer with 11 points for the Lancers, who suffered their second straight loss after a perfect 7-0 start but are already assured of a Final Four spot.

The injury-hit Lancers hope to snap out of their slump as they go up against the resurgent Jaguars at 6:45 p.m. today.

The Jaguars, on the other hand, shoot for a victory that will give them of an outright semis berth regardless of the outcome of their last elimination round assignment against the Webmasters on Saturday, November 26.

Meanwhile, the undefeated City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy (CBSAA) Trailblazers will try to extend their amazing run to 8-0 as they take on the USJ-R Baby Jaguars in the juniors division match at 5:15 this afternoon.

The Trailblazers of coach Leode Garcia rolled to their seventh consecutive victory after edging the UV Baby Lancers, 76-70, with Yzah Myl Dugaduga leading the charge.

Dugaduga fired 22 points on top of four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Chacey Illustrisimo, Simon Maghinay, and Junel Collubio combined for 33 points for the Trailblazers, who are just two wins away from completing a historic nine-game sweep.