CEBU, Philippines - The elite hardcourt warriors from West prevailed over their East rivals, 87-80, in yesterday's All-Star spectacle of the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
Cameroonian giants Landry Sanjo and Fabrice Siewe from defending champion Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras stole the show as they combined for 42 points for the West side of coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba, which used a blistering second-quarter assault to break the backs of the East squad.
Crafty playmaker Mark Jayven Tallo chipped in a dozen markers, even as he grabbed part of the limelight after romping off with the coveted All-Star MVP award.
The West led by only two after the first 10 minutes of play, but unleashed a furious 22-10 run to mount a 14-point advantage at halftime, 42-28. The East pulled within just three points, 65-68, on a four-point swing by Ian Ortega, but Siewe scored six straight points and then Tallo dropped a 3-point bomb to give West an 83-75 breather with only 1:26 to go.
In the secondary division, Justine Dacalos from the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters bagged the MVP trophy, finishing with 14 points as the West thrashed the East, 104-82.
Arnie Padilla and Lucky Ecarma of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles scattered 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the West, which met little resistance in coming up with a 22-point blowout of the East.
In the exciting side events, Miguel Plata, a promising rookie from the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, topped the 3-point shootout, while Jomari Sollano from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers won the Slam Dunk contest. (FREEMAN)