THE University of Cebu Webmasters picked the perfect time to break out of their two-game slump as they took down the three-time defending champions University of the Visayas Green Lancers, 72-64, in the 2019 Cesafi men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, September 15, at the Cebu Coliseum.
Darrell Shane Menina came up with one big shot after another including a huge three-pointer from the corner that brought their lead to 11, 70-59, with 1:29 to go, effectively sealing the win for UC to improve their win-loss record to 1-2.
Menina ended up with 19 points and seven assists while Tosh Sesay had 18 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a block. John Jabello flirted with a double-double of 10 point and nine rebounds to go with four assists while Paul Galinato came off the bench and scored 10.
UC got off to a fantastic start and led, 17-6, after the first before UV fought back to seize the lead, 34-30, at halftime. However, the Webmasters came out of the dugout — presumably after a fierce talking-to from head coach Yayoy Alcoseba — with renewed focus to outscore the Green Lancers, 26-13, with 11 points coming from Sesay, to grab the driver’s seat, 56-47.
UV tried to rally and came to within six, 55-61, after a pull-up jumper from Gabriel Cometa with 4:30 to go. But Menina retaliated with a stepback, corner triple and a transition lay-up to bring UC’s lead back up to nine, 66-57, with 3:17 remaining.
Jancork Cabahug was the lone player to reach double-figures for UV — which dropped to 1-1 — with 14 points.