UC Webmasters seal Top 2 spot with perfect 6-0 record

CEBU, Philippines — The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters maintained their perfect start but had to pass through a grueling double overtime first before repulsing the strong-willed University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons, 85-81, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 basketball tournament on Sunday, November 10, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Thanks to the flashy Fil-Am guard Jepherson Nonol, Charles Libatog, and Luther Leonard who took turns in making big shots in the second five-minute extension, the Webmasters of coach Kernn Sesante stretched their unbeaten run to 6-0.

With only two more games left in the elimination round, the Webmasters are already guaranteed of a top two spot that will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

Libatog produced a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds with two blocks in his finest game this season.

Nonol also tallied 17 markers laced with six rebounds, two assists and a steal. He went 3-of-4 from the foul line in the closing seconds of the second extra time to seal the deal for the Webmasters, who also got 14 points from Jasper Paca a and another double-double courtesy of Leonard who cashed in 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Matthew Earl Flores powered his way to a 19-point, 12-rebound show with two assists and two steals, Jose Zaldy Dizon tossed in 18 points, six boards and five dimes, while AJ de los Reyes added 15 points, three rebounds and an assist but their good showing went for naught as the Fighting Maroons plummeted to their fifth straight loss after a winning start against the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats.

In high school matches, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers enhanced their Top 2 bid with a 103-70 rout of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, while the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors finally barged into the win column after thrashing the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC)-Cebu Greywolves, 70-51.

Jhunnel Dagatan netted 19 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, John Nathan de la Torre and Kenneth Calvin Cole combined for 30 points while Roderick Cambarijan, Jr. and Christophelcian Abellana contributed 11 points each for the Baby Lancers, who jumped to third place in the juniors leaderboard with a 7-2 card.

On the other hand, Xian Garcia sizzled with 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists, Brad Miguel Yu and Neil Ibarita posted an identical 11 points, while Zack Curbin Judilla chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds as the Baby Warriors snapped out of their seven-game jinx.