29 September 2018
CEBU CITY—University of Cebu’s (UC) long streak was ended by the most unlikely opponent, the cellar-dwelling Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U).
The Wildcats pulled off in what by far the biggest upset in the season as they stunned the league-leading Webmasters, 81-75, on Saturday night, September 29, in the 2018 Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
Owing to its eight straight wins to start the season, UC came into the match red-hot while CIT-stepped on the floor looking to log just its first winning streak in the season marred by a 0-7 start.
It turned out the Wildcats would put an unexpected ending in the top versus bottom duel as they held their ground at the finish to hike their record to 2-7 (win-loss).
Though it was just their first loss, the debacle was a big blow for the Webmasters as the defeat quashed their hopes of completing an elimination round sweep which comes with an outright finals berth incentive.
In a solid balanced attack, CIT-U had five players scoring in twin digits led by Jessie Aloro’s 23 points.
Top rookie Kenny Rogers Rocacurva pitched in 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and four steals, Mark Kong added 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Kevin Oleodo and Jemcerson Sable contributed 10 each for the Wildcats, who followed up their 82-77 win over University of San Carlos last Tuesday.
Cameroonian import Frederick Elombi led the way for the Webmasters with 27 points and 22 rebounds.
In the other senior’s match, the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars drubbed the Southwestern University (SWU) -Phinma Cobras, 80-60, to arrest a two-game slide.
Segamars Ewenike piled up 27 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks, leading USJ-R’s sixth victory in nine games.
The Cobras continued to struggle as they absorbed their eighth defeat with only two wins to show so far.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @burnsports
