THE University of Cebu Webmasters lost a 22-point lead, then flirted with disaster before nailing a magical shot that gave them their first-ever championship title.
UC survived a trying fourth quarter before pulling a 73-72 win to end the rule of the 9-time defending champions UV Green Lancers in Game 4 of the 2010 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Collegiate best-of-five championship series at the jampacked Cebu Coliseum last night.
Held scoreless for six minutes at the start of the third quarter, UV trailed by as many as 22 points, 51-29. But UV’s never-say-die spirit finally found its way in the final frame.
“I already told the boys that we might lead by 20 points but this game will be determined by free throws,” UC coach Rhoel Gomez told Sun.Star-Cebu after the game.
Battling a 21-point deficit, 37-58, UV crept back by holding UC to just a single field goal for the next nine and a half minutes to regain the lead, 70-69, with 30.7 seconds remaining.
UV’s defense forced UC to commit turnovers while scoring 14 turnover points off a 33-11 blitz with Ralf Olivares, Phil Mercader and Emmanuel Calo doing the damage.
The game, however, was paused for few minutes when UV fans pelted plastic mineral water bottles into the court, after the buzzer for a timeout was not heard and the Lancers took possession of the leather off another steal.
The standoff gave UC time to regroup resulting to Brian Quinto Heruela scoring the Webmasters’ first field goal since Fajardo’s jumper at the 8:24 mark of the final period.
Calo was fouled on his way to the basket, 2.5 seconds later, as UV regained a 72-71 lead.
As offense became tentative, UV collapsed on Fajardo, but the 6’10” giant managed to sink a very difficult shot with 4.0 seconds remaining.
“I did not expect that shot to go in. I can’t believe I made that shot because the defense was too tight and I couldn’t even see the ring. But I’m glad we really made it. I am happy that we finally broke the winning tradition of UV,” said Fajardo who was named Season 10 MVP, in his final year in Cesafi.
Calo had a decent attempt for UV in the final second but his shot fell short.
New recruits
“I could not have done it without my new recruits Luigi Bercede and Heruela. They made this championship possible. This championship is a vindication for us from my detractors,” stressed Gomez.
Bercede was part of the two championship appearance of USC Warriors in 2006 and 2007, while Heruela is a former UV Baby Lancer. The win had made their transfer to the Webmasters sweeter.
Fajardo scored the game high 32 points, Kevin Julianne added 15, Heruela finished with 11 and Bercede scored 10 while Calo topped UV with 20 points and Olivares followed with 18.
“We are dedicating this win to our school president and owner Atty. Augusto Go who just celebrated his birthday. Thank you for believing in us,” Fajardo added.
UV dynasty falls
Reply With Quote
Posting Permissions
