THE Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons ended their season on a winning note as they edged the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars, 72-68, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) high school basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum on Saturday, November 9, 2019.
Dwight Buisa and Winston Bingil came up with baskets in crunchtime that helped CEC snatch the win and finish the season with a 6-4 (win-loss) record.
The Dragons were ahead by just one, 66-65, when Buisa made a very tough basket where he absorbed contact from his defender before banking in the shot to put CEC in front, 68-65. Bingil then stole the ball and scored on a lay-up to extend their lead to five, 70-65, with just 11 ticks to go.
USJ-R gained a glimmer of hope after Buisa fouled USJ-R forward Dilcer Gaviola who was shooting a three-pointer with eight ticks left. Gaviola then made all three free-throws to help the Jaguars pull to 68-70.
But CEC kept their cool and Peter Rosillo sank two free-throws to ice the victory.
Buisa finished the game with 21 points, nine rebounds and two assists while Bingil had 19 points and five boards.
Kevin Guibao had 26 points, four boards, two assists, five steals and two blocks for USJ-R before fouling out late in the game.
The loss was a bitter end to what was supposed to be a promising season for USJ-R, which won the preseason title, only to flounder at the start of the season and lose its first four games. They finished this season with a 4-6 card.