The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters delivered a powerful performance on Thursday, November 27, 2025, securing a decisive 69-56 victory over the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men's basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
Webmasters Control the Game
From the opening tip-off, the UC Webmasters established their dominance. After the Warriors briefly held a 3-2 lead in the initial minutes, UC seized control and never looked back. The team built a commanding 18-point advantage, leading 47-29 after a successful jumper by Maverick Angelo Eligoyo with 6:34 remaining in the third quarter.
Ray Charles Libatog was a standout performer for the Webmasters, firing 15 points and grabbing five rebounds. He received strong support in the paint from Mark John Ecal. Meanwhile, Ricofer Sordilla contributed significantly with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals, providing crucial support from the perimeter alongside Joseph Arth Nalos and Arnold Miñoza.
Warriors' Fightback Falls Short
The USC Warriors showed resilience in the second half, mounting a comeback attempt that narrowed the gap. A three-pointer by James Paolo Gica early in the fourth quarter brought the score to 53-46, putting pressure on the league leaders.
However, the UC Webmasters refused to relinquish their lead. They responded by widening the gap once more and effectively kept the Warriors at bay until the final buzzer sounded. For the Warriors, Kyle Maglinte and James Paolo Gica led the scoring with 11 points each, while Jose Marie Tumabang also reached double figures with 10 points.
Playoff Implications and High School Results
This 13-point victory mirrors UC's previous 55-42 win over USC on September 20, further solidifying their push for the top spot. The win improves the Webmasters' impressive record to 10-2 in the eight-team tournament.
Despite the loss, USC's fate is not yet sealed. Their chances of advancing to the next round will be determined on Sunday when they face the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars. This matchup is poised to be a potential knockout game for a Final Four slot. The Jaguars currently hold fourth place with a 6-4 record.
In the Cesafi high school division, the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Blue Dragons dominated the Benedicto College (BC) Baby Cheetahs, 69-34. With this win, CEC now shares the top spot with the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu/Mandaue (UCLM) Webmasters, both teams holding 7-2 records. While CEC, UCLM, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles, and the CIT-U Junior Wildcats have all secured Final Four berths, they are now competing for the top two slots, which grant a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
