By KING CORTEL
CEBU CITY- PBA superstar June Mar Fajardo stood tall, literally and figuratively, even he did not play in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Incorporated (CESAFI) 25th Season Exhibition Match between his college team University of Cebu Webmasters and rival University of the Visayas Green Lancers at the New Cebu Coliseum here.
The 8th-time PBA MVP drew the crowd at the end of the basketball exhibition match won by their rival UV, 85-83.
Barangay tanods were overheard by Newstar that, “Dili na mapugngan ang mga tao. Mosulod gyud sila ug moduol ni June Mar.”
The crowd of hundreds rushed to the hardcourt after the game to get an opportunity for a photograph and video.
Fajardo who was all smile and obliged with his fans, will also be accepting his induction to the CESAFI Hall of Fame.
In the half time interview, Fajardo was grateful for CESAFI for giving him and other athletes an avenue to realize their dreams. He was elated to see as well other CESAFI players. He also signed autographs and had photo ops with kids and old alike.
The basketball community was delighted with an exciting ballgame that started 0-18 in favor of UV with legendary coach Elmer ‘Boy’ Cabahug calling the shots.
UC playing coach Dondon Hontiveros suited up in the second quarter to rally his wards and closed the gap, 37-45, at halftime.
The Cebuano hotshot pushed the gas pedal for 9-0 offensive rally to gain the driver seat, 70-65.
Former PBA player Paul Desiderio and Emman Calo fueled UV’s offensive to tie the game at 70.
The Webmasters were leading 83-82, with 40 ticks left and were heading for the win but Hontiveros bungled all his two charities with 13.5 on the clock.
Eventual Player of the Game Desiderio knocked the game winning three pointer and a block to seal the match, 85-83.
The exhibition match is a good indication that CESAFI basketball tournament will attract more viewers including the newly airconditioned Cebu Coliseum.
(PBA superstar Junemar Fajardo gamely accommodated the Cebuano basketball fans who asked him for selfies and groupies. The ex-UC Webmaster graced the recent UV-UC exhibition game at the newly renovated Cebu Coliseum/KiNG CORTEL)
