UC juniors overcome CIT-U, stretch unbeaten run to 3-0

CEBU, Philippines —  The University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters overcame a spirited challenge by the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) all game long to scrape through a thrilling 65-60 victory over the upset-seeking Baby Wildcats in the 19th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Unlike their dominant performance against the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers and the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors where they posted an average winning margin of 32.0 points, the UC bantams this time fought toe-to-toe with the highly aggressive Baby Wildcats from the start until the end of the 40-minute skirmish.

With star players Isaiah Blanco and Maczi Micutuan not in their usual expolive elements, the Baby Webmasters of coach Brad Samonte were pushed to the limit before fortifying their hold of the juniors division lead with an immaculate 3-0 record.

Blanco, son of Cebuano basketball great now Cebu City Councilor Dondon Hontiveros, was clamped down to five points while Micutuan scored only nine but Daniel Lapiz stepped up big time when it mattered the most to top UC’s chart with 16 points.

Leading by only two points at halftime, 29-31, the Baby Webmasters had a hard time dealing with the tough as nails Baby Wildcats for the remainder of the match.

CIT-U came threateningly close for the last time at 58-62 on a 3-pointer by Romulo Genandoy Jr. as Kenvon Pondoc replied with a buzzer-beating triple that gave the Baby Webmasters a 65-58 breather with only 33 seconds left to play. Pondoc finished with nine markers.

Christian Claro tallied 17 points and Darryl Versales cashed in 10 markers  for the Baby Wildcats who put up a gallant stand albeit in a losing cause, their third straight in as many starts.

Earlier, Mike Boniel unloaded 25 points as the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles barged into the win column with a 69-59 whacking of the Don Bosco Greywolves. The Magis Eagles now hold an even 1-1 card while the Greywolves fell to 1-2.