USC overturns 20-point deficit to beat UC in comeback Cesafi win
USC overturns 20-point deficit to beat UC in battle for third place in Cesafi
The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors erased a 20-point deficit to stun the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters in a thrilling 103-96 overtime win to take third place in the Cebu Schools Athletic Association Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball at the Cebu Coliseum yesterday.
Warriors import Somtochukwu Managor hit a game-tying trey at the top of the key with 0.9 seconds in regulation to send the game to overtime at 87-all.
The Warriors started the extra period with an 8-0 run that was sparked by John Reel Saycon’s layup followed with a three- point play from Managor and a three-pointer from Lucky Ecarma.
The Webmasters fought back with a 9-4 rally to trim the deficit to three, 99-96, but the Warriors shot clutch free throws and managed to shut down the Webmasters to take the 103-96 win.
USC was down by as much as 20 points at the latter part of the third quarter and started the fourth quarter with an 80-69 deficit. The Warriors made a huge run and tied the game at 82-all after the layup from Saycon.
Justine Dacalos knocked down a beautiful step back trey to put UC ahead again before USC’s Froilan Mangubat made two free throws and Darrel Shane Menina split his charities.
With UC leading 86-84 with 0.9 seconds left, Peter Paul Codilla had the chance to ice the game but made only one free throw that set the stage for Managor’s game-tying three.
Managor finished the game with a game-high 38 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Saycon had a triple-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Mangubat finished with a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Rossvelt Jelianggo added 13 for the Warriors.
Dacalos led UC with 29 points spiked by 7-of-15 three-point shooting, while John Calyn Jabello added 26 and import Frederick Elombi chipped in 13.
On the other hand, the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters will look to win the Cesafi juniors’ division title in Game 2 of the bestof-three series today. /