What looked like a comfortable victory for the University of the Philippines Cebu Fighting Maroons suddenly became one of the most dramatic finishes of CESAFI Season 26.
The Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats erased a 26-point first-half deficit, then stunned UP Cebu, 71-70, when rookie guard Axyl James Casas knocked down a remarkable midcourt shot with just 0.6 seconds remaining at the Cebu Coliseum on September 8.
UP Cebu appeared to have the game under control after racing to a 23-10 lead in the opening quarter and taking a commanding 51-25 advantage into halftime.
But the Wildcats refused to fold.
CIT-U began chipping away at the massive deficit in the third quarter before mounting an even bigger fourth-quarter charge. The Wildcats outscored UP Cebu 24-11 in the third and then finished with a 22-8 fourth-quarter surge, turning what seemed to be an impossible comeback into reality.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
With UP Cebu leading 70-68 in the dying seconds, the Fighting Maroons missed a free throw. CIT-U grabbed the rebound and quickly pushed the ball forward.
Casas received the ball and launched from near midcourt.
The shot dropped.
With six-tenths of a second left, CIT-U suddenly had a 71-70 lead.
The Wildcats erupted in celebration as the Fighting Maroons were left stunned by one of the most improbable endings of the young CESAFI season. SunStar described the victory as a miracle comeback and reported that it represented the biggest comeback victory in CESAFI history.
Casas finished with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block, but his final basket was unquestionably the play that will define the game.
The rookie wasn’t alone in carrying CIT-U back.
John Eimrod Rodulfa led the Wildcats with 15 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Braebon Ali Thompson posted a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, along with four assists and a block. Jerian Marc Abello added 11 points.
For UP Cebu, AJ de los Reyes was the lone player to score in double figures, finishing with 15 points. The loss dropped the Fighting Maroons to 0-2, while CIT-U improved to 2-0.
The victory also continued an impressive opening run for the Wildcats. CIT-U had already defeated the University of San Jose-Recoletos, 71-55, in its opening game on August 30. The official CESAFI results list the Wildcats at 2-0 after victories over USJ-R and UP Cebu.
And that makes Casas’ shot even more significant.
The 2026 CESAFI season is still young, but CIT-U has already shown that it can win in completely different ways—first with a controlled 16-point victory over USJ-R, then with a comeback that appeared impossible until the final fraction of a second.
For UP Cebu, meanwhile, the defeat was a painful reminder of how quickly momentum can disappear in basketball.
A 26-point lead was not enough.
A 70-68 advantage in the final seconds was not enough.
And with only 0.6 seconds remaining, a rookie from CIT-U had the last word.
Axyl Casas took the shot.
And CESAFI got its miracle.
Why this story matters
The game is more than simply another early-season CESAFI result. It combines a historic comeback, a rookie’s breakout moment and a dramatic finish that has immediately become one of the tournament’s most memorable plays.
The official CESAFI roster lists Casas as a guard for the CIT-U Wildcats, while the league’s results confirm the 71-70 victory over UP Cebu.
CESAFI Season 26 features a double-round elimination format in the college division, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals. The top two receive twice-to-beat advantages, while the championship series is scheduled as a best-of-three.
So while the Wildcats are only two games into their campaign, this comeback could become an important early statement.
And for Casas, one unforgettable shot has suddenly put his name among the players to watch in CESAFI Season 26.
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