The Green Lancers made an auspicious title-retention bid, scoring their 47th straight victory by beating the University of San Carlos Warriors, 81-71 while the Baby Lancers fell at the hands of the Baby Warriors, 57-55.
In the opener, the Don Bosco Greywolves defeated the University of San Jose Recoletos Jaguars, 65-58.
Last Saturday, University of Southern Philippines Panthers squandered a 23-point lead in the third period but later rebounded and survived with an 85-79 victory over the Cebu Institute of Technology Wildcats even as the Baby Panthers escaped with a 55-53 win over the CIT Wildkittens in another great escape by the younger Panthers.
The Lancers played very confident that they allowed the Warriors to come close by three points, 33-36 in the second period.
Jayford Rodriguez was still a big factor in offense as he led the Lancers with 21 points wile their rookies especially Von Harry Lanete, did their shares.
Of the 14 players, coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug fielded for the Lancers, only rookie Eulogio Lasala Jr. did not score.
Niño Ramirez hit three triples to lead the Warriors with 18 points while Enrico Llanto finished with 15 points. Vermini Tangarorang had 12 points and Kailash Sharma scored 10 points, also for the Warriors.
Earlier, John Rafael Flanco played the hero's role for the Baby Warriors by scoring the winning shot via an undergoal stab in the final 6.8 seconds in the ballgame.
Flanco finished with 12 points as Giovanni Padillo topscored with 15 points.
Phil Mercader led the Baby Lancers with 14 points.
The Panthers of coach Raul Latonio Sr. who now have a 2-0 win-loss records and tied with idle UC Webmasters at the first place, led by 23 points late in the third period, 59-36, after a basket by skipper Glenn Pendang.
Elvis Labares and Jason Bartolabac led the Panthers with 20 and 17 points, respectively. Pendang had 14 points while Bryan Travero had 11 points.
The Wildcats were led by Emilio Aniñon who scored 14 points and Jessie Bustos had 13 points.
The scores:
First Game:
Don Bosco (Sec.) (65) - Garcia 20, Acha 14, Lim 9, Vender 8, Suarez 5, Enterina 4, Parilla 3, Bosque 2, Itaas 2.
USJR (Sec.) - Lapiz 24, Abing 14, Yballe 8, Unabia 5, Caparros 3, Cabanes 1.
Second Game: USC (Sec.) (57) - Padillo 15, Flanco 12, Alforque 7, Te 6, Bercede 4, Lao 4, Arriesgado 3, Morales 2.
UV (Sec.) (55) - Mercader 14, Lao 6, Pitogo 6, Fuentes 4, Avila 4, Heruela 3, Cabahug 2, Bungcaras 2, Cañada 2.
Third Game:
UV (Coll.) (81) - Rodriguez 21. Calo 11, Mepaña 8, Lanete 7, Akad 7, Ababon 6, Sevilla 5, Abelong 4, Berame 3, Tacaldo 3, Arda 2, Esperat 2, Santos 2.
USC (Coll) (71) - Ramirez 18, Llanto 15, Tangarorang 12, Sharma 10, Jueves 9, Igao 3, Loyola 3, Joven 1.