THE Hotel Fortuna/University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters defeated the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Baby Panthers, 75-60, in a heated high school matchup of the 2019 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Partners Cup at the University of San Carlos gym Thursday night, June 20, 2019.
With 20.2 seconds left to play and the result was already a foregone conclusion, tension erupted as UC’s Van Savillejo and USP-F’s Elijah Singson clashed near midcourt.
The commotion escalated as coaches from both teams get into the scene.
After the scuffle, Sevillejo and Singson were both ejected for unsportsmanlike action along with the assistant coaches of both UC and USP-F for “fighting stand” gesture.
The game started to heat up when USP-F guard Kyle Ochavo was thrown out of the game for unsportsmanlike foul and a technical foul four continuous complaining with 2:34 left to play.
The Junior Webmasters had the lead from the get-go thanks to a fiery 13-0 run in the opening quarter. USP-F’s first score came from the free throw line with 3:10 to play in the opening period.
USP-F mounted a fightback in the second half and was able to pull within one, 47-48. But that was the closest USP-F could get as UC answered with a 10-2 run to gain separation at 58-49.
UC’s lead was back to double-digit, 68-57, after Sevillejo scored a two-pointer midway in the fourth quarter.
Luther Leonard poured in 12 points, Dane Lapiz pitched in 11 and Earl Polinar chipped in 10 for UC, which remains perfect with 4-0 (win-loss) card. (RSC)