Jaguars stun Lancers
The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars squandered a 19-point lead in the second half but turned to the endgame heroics of Nigerian import Tochukwu Eweneki to stun two-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 89-73, in the 18th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Jaguars folded up after taking a 53-34 advantage midway in the third canto, giving the Lancers an opportunity to chisel away the deficit down to only a five-point gap, 68-73, with still 7:30 left to play.
However, the 6-foot-10 Eweneki, checking in after being hobbled by foul trouble, racked up seven points including a monster slam in a 10-0 blitz that virtually put the win in USJ-R's pocket with an insurmountable 83-68 edge at the final 2:53 mark of the contest.
Eweneki finished with 19 points, while reigning seniors MVP Jaybie Mantilla topscored for the Jaguars with 21 markers. RJ Dinolan was the only other USJ-R cager in twin digits with 11 points.
Earlier, the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters launched a furious opening assault, then sustained their momentum the rest of the way to wallop the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 72-50.
The Warriors actually scored the first four points of the match but the Webmasters charged back with a 22-2 burst to set the stage for a total wipeout of their hapless foes.
John Calvin Jabello churned out 17 points, Cameroonian import Frederick Elombi scored 15, while Darrell Shane Menina nailed 14 markers for the Webmasters who kept the Warriors at bay at halftime, 46-29.
After the short break, the Webmasters kept their offensive fire burning, rattling nine straight points to mount their largest lead at 57-29 with 5:04 left in the third period.
Nigerian reinforcement Sonti Managor made an impression in his CESAFI debut with 17 points, albeit in a losing cause for the Warriors.
In the juniors division, the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons and University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors kick-started their campaigns on a bright note.
Ivan Ares sparkled with 26 points as Dragons stunned the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 71-61.
Nick Galope contributed 15 markers for Dragons, who unleashed a fierce offensive in the final half, 42-29, to frustrate the Baby Panthers.
On the other hand, Khadshein Paul Tagalog, Clint Anthony Octaviano and Juan Raphael Garro conspired for 40 points for Baby Warriors, who took full command of the match after a rousing 21-10 start on the way to a 69-56 drubbing of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars, 69-56.
In the 12-under division that is being featured for the first time in the league's 18-year history, USC gave guest team Sisters of Mary School-Boystown a rude welcome, 50-42.