THE University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters made it a perfect five-for-five this season as they put down the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 56-51, in the 2019 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) high school basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum on Saturday, September 28, 2019.
It was a hard-earned win for the defending champions, which needed to get their bearings back after a dismal second period showing that saw them fail to score a single point for over seven minutes.
A timely second half adjustment that placed an emphasis on tighter defense spelled the difference to help UC bring its win-loss record to 5-0 and drop USPF to 3-2. As a matter of fact, the Baby Webmasters' defense was so stingy that it held the Baby Panthers to a mere six points in the last period.
UC was still ahead, 52-49, but put the finishing touches on the win, courtesy of putbacks by point guard, Kenyon Pondoc and wingman Van Sevillejo, that the latter helped make happen after he stole the ball from USPF guard Kyle Ochavo. Those back-to-back baskets put UC in front, 56-49, with just 1:24 remaining.
Luther Leonard led UC with 12 points, nine rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block while King Balaga added 11 points and six boards.
Ochavo was the only player to score in double-figures for USPF with 14 markers and seven assists.
In the first game, the University of San Carlos Baby Warriors broke out of their losing slump as they shocked the Southwestern University-Phinma Baby Cobras, 76-69.
The win brought USC's record to 2-3, the same as their victim's.
Nathaniel Montecillo spearheaded USC's balanced attack as he tallied 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a whopping five steals. He got plenty of support from the likes of VJ Baruc and Jaed Buzon who produced 16 points each, with the latter grabbing 10 rebounds and the former chipping in four boards, six assists and three steals.
SWU-Phinma only had one player reach double-figures in Dezeo Villanueva who had 28 points and four rebounds. (VoxPop Cebu)
