UC OUTLASTS USC
UC outscores USC in third quarter to grab seventh win in high school basketball
The University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters banked on a strong second half push to fend off the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors, 54-41, last night at the Cebu Coliseum to keep their lofty spot in the high school division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) basketball tournament.
It was a close affair early on with UC holding on to a close 1917 lead at halftime. USC found its groove, coming off of the third quarter, and took a 26-23 lead with a basket by John Ornopia. That would be the last time that USC took a hold of the lead after UC scored eight points, which included a three-pointer each by James Incio and Justin Mondares. UC outscored USC, 14-7, in the last four minutes of the third to take a 37-33 lead.
Incio and Mondares took charge on the offensive end in the third quarter and combined for nine points.
Although USC showed a ton of heart by never giving up, the Baby Warriors really had an awful fourth quarter offensively, missing most of their shots from beyond the arc and also missing their layups.
Mondares led UC with 21 points from seven three-pointers. Jerick Ranido added nine, while Incio chipped in eight.
Ornopia scored 11 points for USC, while Kadshien Tagalog contributed nine.
Meanwhile, fierce rivals University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Green Lancers were up against Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHSAdC) Magis Eagles.
UV is at the top of the high school division rankings with a perfect 6-0 slate, followed by UC at 7-1. USC is third at 5-2, followed by SHS-AdC at 3-2 and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars at 4-3. /