UV survives UC scare

UC proved it is a great running team, but UV showed the stuff champions are made of.

The University of the Visayas Green Lancers extended their unbeaten streak to three after escaping with a 74-72 victory over the University of Cebu Webmasters in the lone collegiate match of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball event last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

For the second consecutive night, the Webmasters blew away chances of winning.

With the game still within reach after Allain Abellanosa's two free throws that put UC within a hairline, 72-73, in the final one minute of the game, Abellanosa was more than a villain than a hero.

This as Abellanosa was slapped with a travelling violation as he slipped near the undergoal while on the way for a drive that could have given UC the lead with still 30 seconds remaining.

Again, Abellanosa failed to complete a steal when he muffed a point blank lay-up in what could have been another chance for UC to grab the lead.

Worse, Abellanosa was called for foul against Morsie Akad, who then split his charities to peg the final count.

The Lancers controlled the game most of the way and had their largest lead at 12 points, 29-17, early in the second period.

Rino Berame worked doubly hard to top UV with 18 points, whileAkad finished with 15 points including the last four-point cluster that sealed UV's victory.

The Lancers did it even with Jayford Rodriguez scoring only four points and their well-polished rookies going ice-cold.

Rez, who waxed hot in the first two periods, led UC with 23 points, while Abellanosa and Jonathan Canceran had 16 points apiece. Their efforts weren't enough as UC fell to 1-2.

The Lancers' cliff-hanger victory became the saving grace as the Baby Lancers earlier suffered a 75-85 loss to the USP-F Baby Panthers.

In the other secondary game, the USC Baby sWarriors defeated the CIT Widkittens, 90-81, while the USC Lady Warriors defeated the USJR Lady Jaguars, 72-64, to take the solo lead in the women's division.

The scores

First game (Women's)

USC (72)- De los Reyers 27, Ceniza 15, Amoguis 9, Lim 7, Cañete 6, Tan 3, Alerta 2

USJR (64)- Malinao 29, Gasal 9, Sta. Cruz 8, Trazona 7, Chiong 6, Cabusao 2, Baclaan 2, Sollano 1 Halftime: 27-30

Second Ggme (Juniors)

USP (85) - Dysam 22, Dela Cruz 12, Maraño 10, Canoy 8, Boldalba 8,Olivar 6, Muñez 3, Yu 2, Elorde 2

UV (75) - Lao 35, Mercader 18, Camay 9, Malig-on 4, Malagar 3, Gonzaga 2 Halftime: 36-39

Third game (Juniors)

USC (90)- Codilla 26, Bercede 25, Caumenral 16, Delos Santos 7, Negapatan 5, Tiu 4, Saberon 3, Alocillo 3, Otida 2, Omolon 2,

CIT (81)- Augusto 43, Aranas 15, Labagala 9, Ybañez 7, Quiroga 4, Espinoza 2, Cabrera 2, Isidto 2 Halftime: 44-38

Fourth game (Seniors)

UV (74)- Berame 18, Akad 15, Canoy 9, Lanete 6, Dipoutado 5, Rodriguez 4, Sendrijas 4, Arda 4, Dennison 2, Esperat 2

UC (72)- Rez 23, Abellanosa 16, Canceran 16, Abatayo 8, Julianne 5, Cadayong 2, Fajardo 2 Halftime: 44-36