28 September 2019
CEBU CITY–The Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats finally barged into the win column after they stunnded the suddenly struggling Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras, 67-62, in the college division of the 2019 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum on Saturday, September 28.
The shocker of a win ended the Wildcats’ four successive losses and dealt the Cobras a second straight defeat that pulled their record down to 3-2 (win-loss).
Didoy Proel and Clark Con-ui came off the bench to instigate a pivotal run in the third that saw them combining for 10 points in a 12-2 run that handed the Wildcats a 43-34 lead.
CIT-U led by as many as 10 points in the payoff period and the best SWU could do was to move within 56-58.
The Wildcats didn’t panic as crucial hits by Jesse Aloro, Jan Jabonete and JC Escalona sealed what is by far the biggest upset in the season.
Aloro, Proel and Con-ui led CIT-U’s morale-boosting win with 10 markes apiece.
Lamine Thiam paced SWU with 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Red Cachuela and Gerald Fernandez donated 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers bagged their third win in five outings via a 78-69 overtime win over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars.
Sameen Swint led the way for the Panthers with scored 27 points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
Miguel Gastador scored 21 points for USJ-R, which tasted its fourth loss with only one win to show so far.
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Photo courtesy of Cesafi Media Bureau