source: Marian C. Baring | sunstar.com.ph

The championship may have been marketed as the matchup between the two giants—University of the Visayas’ Greg Slaughter and University of Cebu’s June Mar Fajardo—but a rookie stole center stage and chose a perfect time to break out as UV extended its dominance in Cebu collegiate hoops.

UV’s Emman Calo overshadowed the two skyscrapers to help UV capture its ninth straight title in Game 4 of the best-of five-finals series in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

“UC gave us a good fight . My players were at their best form but it was my rookie Calo who did it for us. He won this championship for us,” said UV head coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug.

Calo topscored for UV with 21 points--11 in the crucial fourth period--spiked by three triples that helped the team win an unprecedented nine straight championships.

Will they stop at nine? Definitely not, according to the coach.

“We will not stop trying. As long as we will be blessed, then we will go for it. If it stops, then we start again,” said Cabahug.

On the other hand, Fajardo couldn’t seem to find his bearings as he only managed a measly seven points, while Slaughter scored only six.

UV had the victory in their hands as early as the first period when they ganged up on UC’s second stringers, scoring all of their points from the three-point lane.

UC’s rookies, however, were able to hold back and trailed only by three, 15-12, at the end of the first.

The game went on a momentary standstill when the power went out and it took 20 minutes before the game resumed.

When it did, Calo started making his presence felt and led the team’s 17-8 run, including back-to-back triples that put them ahead, 32-20.

UV managed to take control of the game in the third period behind Ritchum Dennison, who is playing in his final year, for a 50-40.

In the final quarter, UV seemed to play more inspired when school Rep. Eddie Gullas arrived and instead of sitting at the VIP area, opted to sit with the crowd.

In the fourth, another rookie, Ralf Olivarez, opened fire and scored two straight baskets to pad UV’s lead to 54-40.

And before UC could answer, the Webmasters were staring at a 66-46 deficit with four minutes left to play.

Slaughter, who was named the season MVP, said he enjoyed this final so much.

“It was great playing with Fajardo. This was the most fun I ever had in the Cesafi,” Slaughter said. “Right now, I am just happy we won. He can outplay me all he wants, people can say he is better than me anytime, but right now, I am the champion.”


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