University of Cebu overwhelmed University of Iloilo, 96-66, yesterday to forge a quarterfinal showdown with University of San Carlos in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Cebu Coliseum.
The UC Webmasters, champions of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi), leaned on 6-foot-9 June Mar Fajardo who threw his weight around to finish with 14 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks to help hold off the UI Wildcats.
University of San Carlos, which finished fourth in the Cesafi, earlier hammered out a 71-64 upset of University of Visayas at the start of Sweet 16 hostilities.
Sam Hermosa drilled in crucial baskets as the USC Warriors survived another tight contest to reach the last eight for the first time.
The Warriors unleashed an 8-1 run in the final two and a half minutes that included a triple by Hermosa with 49 seconds remaining to deny the UV Lancers a chance of avenging their loss to the Webmasters in the Cesafi finals.
Hermosa finished with 25 points for the Warriors, climbed their way back from a 13-point deficit in the third period.
UAAP losing finalist Far Eastern U battles NCAA third placer Jose Rizal U in a Sweet 16 match at 2 p.m. at the Cebu Coliseum, before the Warriors and Webmasters meet for a place in the semifinals at 4 p.m. Cedelf P. Tupas
The scores:
First Game
USC 71—Hermosa 25, Cortes 18, Cantonao 13, Panerio 5, Padillio 4, Codillo 4, Otida 2.
UV 64—Olivares 17, Abad 10, Mercader 7, Cincoflores 7, Calo 6, Silva 4, Lao 4, Avillanoza 4, Perolino 2, Villanil 2, Cabahug 1.
Quarters: 15-12, 30-36, 45-53, 71-64
Second Game
UC 96—Cueva 15, Ampoon 15, Fajardo 14, Juliane 14, Pao 12, Mohamad 6, Bercede 6, Heruela 5, Tan 3, Enriquez 2, Magallanes 2, Batua 2
UI 66—Tibor 17, Tasi 11, Militante 8, Dayata 8, Parba 7, Jacob 4, Jampil 4, Gonzales 4, Aquitania 3
Quarters: 25-22, 48-40, 81-48, 96-66