Sordilla, Eligoyo power UC past UE in Cebu City Invitationals opener

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Ricofer Sordilla and Maverick Eligoyo spearheaded a furious second-half rally as the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters erased a 13-point deficit to stun the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 89-85, in the opening game of the Cebu City Collegiate Invitational Basketball Tournament on Thursday, August 6, at the Cebu City Sports Institute.

Sordilla poured in a game-high 35 points on an efficient 13-of-23 shooting, including three triples, while adding six assists, four rebounds, and a steal. Eligoyo provided the perfect complement with 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting, knocking down four of his six attempts from beyond the arc while tallying six rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and one assist. The duo accounted for all but 25 of UC’s points and were the only Webmasters to score in double figures.

UE was led by Christopher Lagat, who finished with 24 points, six rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block. Johndrew Jimenez recorded a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds to go with two assists, while JM Edoukou chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds.

The Red Warriors came out firing, racing to a 13-point lead in the opening quarter before taking a comfortable 50-41 advantage into halftime.

UC, however, flipped the script after the break. Sordilla sparked the comeback with consecutive baskets to trim the deficit to 58-56 before Charles Libatog buried a jumper to tie the game at 58-all. John Dexter Santos briefly restored UE’s lead with a basket, but Sordilla and Eligoyo responded with back-to-back three-pointers in a decisive 6-0 run that gave the Webmasters their first lead of the contest, 64-63.

UC carried a 68-63 advantage into the fourth quarter and extended it to seven points early in the final period.

UE refused to go away. Edoukou’s free throws cut the deficit to 77-74 with 3:35 remaining, but Eligoyo answered with another clutch three-pointer. Jimenez and Cebuano guard Lanze Sabroso then scored on consecutive possessions to pull the Red Warriors within 80-78 with just over two minutes left.

Eligoyo, however, delivered the dagger with another triple before UE resorted to intentional fouls in the closing seconds. Sordilla and Eligoyo calmly converted enough free throws to preserve the Webmasters’ four-point victory and complete the come-from-behind win.

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