UNIVERSITY OF CEBU (UC)-M. Lhuillier Webmasters took back the solo lead of the college division after 77-63 victory over University of San Carlos (USC)-Landmasters Warriors in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Partner’s Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
UC played catch-up in the first half of the game. USC opened the game with a 7-0 run before Justine Dacalos ended the drought in the 5:20 mark of the opening quarter with a layup. The Warriors had a comfortable 16-9 lead after a quarter of action.
The Webmasters started to heat up in the second period, outscoring USC, 15-9, to trim it down to just a point, 24-25. Bad free-throw shooting hurt UC in that quarter, wherein it could have easily taken the lead.
In the third, UC finally took its first lead of the game, 26-25, with a driving layup by Frederick Elombi.
Elombi dominated the third with 12 points to give UC a nine point lead, 48-39, going into the final quarter.
Elombi continued to dominated the game, scoring 14 points in the fourth, that was highlighted by an emphatic two-handed dunk.
Elombi exploded with 32 points to lead UC, while Daryl Menina added 10.
Magic Marata led USC with 12 markers, Roosevelt Jelliangao chipped in 10.
UC has solo leadership in the college division with a 4-0 record, University of the Visayas (UV) is second with 3-0, followed by University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) with 2-0. USC dropped to 2-3 at fourth place.
USC-Mandaue Hotel Baby Warriors edged out UC-Hotel Fortuna Baby Webmasters, 58-56, in the only high school division game of the day.
Kadshien Tagalog led USC with 17 points, Tom Tom Octaviano added 12 amd Allan Ruiz had 11.
Justin Modaves and John Dajab had 10 points each for UC.
USC moved up to fifth place with 2-3, while UC suffered its first loss of the preseason and dropped to third place 2-1. USPF is still at the top with 3-0, followed by UV with 3-1. (EKA)