UV, UC arrange finals date in CESAFI hoop

Four-time champion University of the Visayas Green Lancers and the University of Cebu Webmasters blasted their respective foes to set up a titular showdown in the collegiate division of the 5th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) basketball event last Sunday at USC gym.

Games today
(USC gym)
1 pm USP vs. UV
(juniors)
2:30 pm CIT vs. USC
(juniors)

The UV Lancers of coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug ousted the University of San Carlos Warriors, but not without a struggle before eking out a 72-67 win, while the UC Webmasters beat the University of Southern Philippines Panthers, 90-80, to advance into the finals for the first time in five years. While the collegiate finals pairing had been settled, the two secondary top seeds USP Baby Panthers and the CIT Wildkittens, who both enjoyed twice-to-beat advantage, failed to eliminate their opponents to forge a double knockout match today at the USC gym.

The UV Baby Lancers lived and fight for another day after coasting to a 74-56 victory over the top-ranked USP Baby Panthers, while the third-seed USC Baby Warriors triumphed over the CIT Wildkittens, 71-60. The CESAFI fans are looking forward to a great championship series between UV and UC as the Webmasters were responsible for putting a halt to the Green Lancers' unprecedented 54-game winning streak with a stunning 75-68 upset last September 22.

Former CCC Executives (now UC) pointguard Rey Yncierto is handing out out P1,000 each to all the members of the UC Webmasters as incentives for making it to the finals. Yncierto was the chief playmaker when CCC defeat UV in the 1981 CAAA finals.

The much-improved Warriors were looking good in scoring what could have been the greatest upset in CESAFI history as they kept on towing closely with the Lancers until the final four minutes of the game. Vermini Tangarorang, the shortest player in the Warriors' roster, hit a booming triple that squared the count at 67-all at the final 4:05 mark of the fourth period.

In the ensuing play, however, senior guard Mark Ababon retaliated with a triple to hand back the Lancers the lead for good, 70-67. Morsie Akad later converted free throws with only 4.6 seconds left in the game to seal UV's triumph.

The Lancers failed to stage a breakaway as they could only take as much as a 10 points, 46-36, midway through the third period.

The fouling out of USC topcenter Enrico Llanto at 8:07 in the fourth period improved UV's chances of winning.

Akad led the Lancers' with 15 points, while Arlow Jueves had 17 points for the Warriors. In the other game, the UC Webmasters settled the outcome of the game with a 14-point lead, 90-76, with only 36 ticks left before the final buzzer. Miguelito Ducay led UC with 25 points, while Jared Kane Abatayo finished with 17 points. Three others chipped in double figures including Kenneth Kern Sesante with 12 points and Raymund Yncierto and Saludsod with 10 points apiece.

First game (Juniors)
UV (74) - Pitogo 14, Cañada 14, Mercader 10, Cabahug 9, P. Avila 8, Belocura 5, Fuentes 5, Lao 3, Heruela 2, Gonzaga 2
USP (56) - Ferraren 14, Hermosa 14, Ybañez 12, Aligno 7, Dysam 5, Muñez 4 Halftime: 41-30

Second game (Juniors)
USC (71) - Magat 10, Arriesgado 9, Flanco 8, Bucayan 6, Alforque 6, Codilla 4, Te 4, Morales 4, Delos Reyes 3, Padillo 3, Bercede 2, Munsayac 1
CIT (60) - Dela Cerna 18, Diaz 13, Cañete 13, Alvarez 5, Del Mar 4, Augusto 3, Labagala 2, Rodrigo 2 Halftime: 42-20

Third game (Seniors) UV (72) Akad 15, Mepaña 12, Ababon 10, Abelong 9, Berame 8, Calo 6, Rodriguez 5, Sevilla 5, Lasala 2
USC (67) Jueves 17, Ramirez 14, Tangarorang 12, Llanto 10, Igao 9, Padayao 3, Sharma 3, Loyola 2 Halftime: 40-35

Fourth game (Seniors)
UC (90) - Ducay 25, Abatayo 17, Sesante 12, Yncierto 10, Saludsod 10, Canceran 5, Batobalonos 5, Villanil 4, Cipriano 2
USP (80)- Mercader 21, Pendang 16, Labares 14, Demape 8, Travero 6, Ceniza 6, Gallarde 4, Bartolabac 3, Geraldez 2 Halftime: 47-40