Webmasters’ coach Atty. Kenneth Kern Sesante did not regret on their last play saying his wards would somehow learn in the coming days as they are preparing for the upcoming 2016 CESAFI season in August. (File Photo)
By: Gabby Malagar
The Webmasters and the Jaguars fought to a 66-all standoff on Friday night, April 15 during a pre-season tune-up game to the delight of the Buanoy fans piled up like sardines in a 1,500-seater Buanoy covered court. The game which serves as one of the highlights of their barangay fiesta next week was sponsored by the Buanoy Sports Commission led by its sports-crazy barangay captain Clyde Seblos.
The Jaguars were bound to an excellent finish as they took an eight-point lead, 58-50, the largest by either team at the 6:07 mark of the fourth period as the Webmasters opened the game with a 7-0 count.
Without wasting time, the Webmasters rallied to grab the led, 62-60 on a Jilan Delator assisted basket at the baseline by John Jabello that capped a 9-2 run, time down to the final three minutes. Delator, a wily defensive guard and a native of Balamban, is a prize catch for the Webmasters.
In the ensuing play, Joven Tagudin gave the Webmasters another two-point lead, 66-64 down to the final 1:24 of the ballgame but after a series of two misses by both teams, Jaguar point guard Jaybee Mantilla scored with a tip-in for a 66 tie with only 25 seconds remaining.
The Webmasters have the chance to win the game but too much dribbling prevented them from making the last attempt as they were forced to commit a violation turning the ball over to the Jaguars form one last time with only two ticks left but Nelvin Navarra missed a desperate heave from below the center line sending the game into a wild finish.
Jabello who was the most consistent scorer of the night led the Webmasters with 14 points even as Tagudin and Garciano Puerto had 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Mantilla was the highest scorer for the Jaguars also scoring 14 points while Ricky Dyn Peromingan added 10 markers.
Last year, the same Buanoy fans were also treated to another quality ballgame when the University of San Carlos Warriors escaped with a win against the Jaguars courtesy of a Hail Mary shot by Ian Bensig.
Webmasters’ coach Atty. Kenneth Kern Sesante did not regret during their last play saying his wards would somehow learn in the coming days as they are preparing for the upcoming 2016 CESAFI season in August. Sesante was designated coach early this year to take the reins of his former team he carried into the finals nearly 10 years ago where he was the skipper.
Now a government lawyer , Sesante accepted the job to guide his former team to manifest his passion of the game.
About the writer
Gabriel G. Malagar is known as “Gabmal” in the local media industry. He is a veteran and multi-awarded sportswriter for more than two decades. He is a member of the Sports Association of Cebu (SAC) as well as in the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalist (CFBJ).
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