4 October 2018
CEBU CITY—The race to the top is shaping up to be a dogfight after the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers met contrasting fates on Thursday, October 5, in the 2018 Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum here.
The Webmasters suffered their second loss in their last three outings after they got ambushed by the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 57-74, while the Green Lancers boosted their Top 2 bid after they edged out the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 81-78.
Despite the loss, UC still sits atop the standings with a 9-2 (win-loss) record but the twin victories allowed UV and USJ-R to stay within striking distance with the Webmasters.
UV is at second spot with an 8-3 slate and will face UC on Sunday for the Webmasters’ last elimination round assignment.
USJ-R is not far behind as it ranks third with seven wins and three losses.
The number one and two teams after the eliminations will enjoy twice-to-beat incentives against the third and fourth seeds, respectively.
Miguel Gastador spearheaded USJ-R’s crucial win with 18 points. Jaybie Mantilla chipped in 17 points, four rebounds and four steals, while Segamar Ewenike contributed 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
UV, on the other hand, survived USC behind Rey Suerte, who dropped the game-winning triple with 0.4 seconds left.
John Reel Saycon tied the match at 78-all with 4.9 seconds left but Suerte responded with his own booming triple that sealed UV’s hard-earned win.
Suerte collected 29 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, coming up with the monster game on a day he celebrated his 24th birthday.
Sommy Managor piled up 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead USC, which tasted its seventh defeat in 11 games.
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