THE University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers banked on a strong second half to survive a very determined Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wild Cats, 73-67, last night at the Cebu Coliseum in what could have been the biggest upset this season in the college division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi).

After trailing 18-9 in the opening quarter, CIT-U, led by star rookie Kenny Rogers Rocacurva, had a strong second quarter for a 34-31 lead at halftime.

The Wild Cats led by as much as 12 points in the third quarter, 52-40. However, big man Rich Managor sparked a 11-2 run late in the third to cut CIT-U’s lead to just three points, 54-51, at the end of the third period.

Rocacurva kept USPF at bay but Rich Managor rallied USPF and eventually tied the game, 67-67, with a basket with 1:26 left.

Karl Langahin hit a timely three-pointer to put USPF up, 70-67, with 1:12 remaining and CIT-U started firing blanks on the other end with Kevin Oleodo, Jemcerson Sable and Clark Con-ui, missing all their three-point attempts.

Managor put the nail on the coffin after converting his free throw attempts.

Managor had a monster game with 25 points, 18 rebounds, a steal and two blocks. Al-Je Mendez also logged a double-double with 18 markers and 12 boards. Rodelio Cauba also hit double figures with 11.

Rocacurva was CIT-U’s top scorer with 25 points, three rebounds, four steals and four blocks, while Oleodo chipped in 20.

Meanwhile, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Green Lancers and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars walked away with wins in the high school division, scoring 10 of CIT-U’s first 13 points.

UV thrashed USPF, 78-60, while USJ-R beat Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, 77-70, in the high school division. (EKA)