The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters rebounded in style, overhauling an 11-point deficit in the second half to hand the three-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers their first defeat, 70-64, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 25 basketball tournament on Sunday, October 12, at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Webmasters were trailing 31-42 early in the third quarter but staged a daring fightback until they eventually seized a six-point edge, 68-62, on a 3-pointer by Neon Chavez with 2:50 left to play.
UV pulled within 64-68 but Chavez capped his endgame heroics with a pair of free throws in the last 98 seconds that turned out to be the final tally.
Chavez, who finished with seven points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals, was the man of the hour as the Webmasters atoned for their stinging setback at the hands of the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons two weeks ago.
Andre Cuizon cashed in 11 points while Danie Boy Lapiz nailed 10 markers for the Webmasters, who now hold a 3-1 win-loss record.
Kent Ivo Salarda and Ivan Clark Alsola both registered a double-double for the Lancers. Salarda unloaded 24 points and 13 rebounds with four assists while Alsola had 10 points and 10 rebounds but their efforts went to the dustbin as the Visayanians saw their five-game winning roll come to a sudden red stop.
In the other collegiate duel, Jhoernel Vince Tangkay and Kyle Maglinte bagged 13 points each while combining for 12 rebounds and four assists as the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors dominated the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 63-41, to jump at fourth place in the standings with a 3-2 slate.
In high school play, Kyle Nalisa delivered a dazzling show of 27 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals as the Benedicto College (BC) Baby Cheetahs escaped the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars, 46-43, for their third victory in four games.
In the other result, Kenneth Robert Fuller unloaded 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, four steals and two blocks while Mohammad Yusoph Dimaporo submitted a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds as the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons improved to 2-1 after taming the CIT-U Baby Wildcats, 58-52.