UV sails into final four in CCL

The University of the Visayas Green Lancers sailed into the Final Four of the Collegiate Champions League (CCL) by whipping the University of Mindanao 78-58 at the San Juan Arena in San Juan, Metro Manila.

UV’s second win in as many outings, however, came with a small price. Chris Victor Diputado, one of UV’s long-range shooters, sustained a scratch on his hand after the University of Mindanao played physical in the second half.

Diputado is just nursing a scratch; he will suit up for UV’s next game, so there’s no worry.

The Green Lancers will face the winner between FEU Tamaraws and STI for a semifinal berth. The two teams are still playing as of presstime.

With a bigger lineup, UV disrupted UM’s offense with a sticky man-to-man defense at the start of the game. With 6’11” giant Gregory Fuentes Slaughter and 6’7” Rico Berami patrolling the middle, UV scored on easy transition baskets and jumped to an 18-10 lead late in the first quarter and finished it with a 4-1 run, to take the first canto 22-11.

The second quarter was all UV as well. This time, UV tried to mix its running game with outside shooting to take a 26-13 lead, minutes in the second period and padded the lead to 37-15 midway into the quarter, before settling the issue 43-22. 

However, Coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug knew that UM would not go down without a fight and warned his boys of an impending Wildcats rally.

UM played physical to start the third quarter. This surprised UV players a bit but timely instructions by Coach Cabahug steadied the team. He told his players not to retaliate but to play their game.

UM’s ploy somehow slowed down the Green Lancers. This allowed UM some elbow room as they connected from the beyond the arc to outscore the latter 21-16 and finish the quarter with only a 16-point deficit, 43-59.

But the Green Lancers wouldn’t be denied. They started the final canto by playing up tempo basketball and avoided to be lured into UM’s physical game.

Again, with UV’s big men controlling the paint, the Green Lancers limited the Wildcats only one shot at the basket. The Wildcats, however, found ways to claw back into the game and cut the lead to 66-53, with five minutes left in the game.

Just as UM was about to inch closer, the Green Lancers employed a trapping defense and ignited a crippling 12-5 windup for the victory.

Coach Cabahug said he was never surprised with UM’s physical game because they have played them before. The coach, however, has to remind his players not to retaliate because they have the game in the bag and doesn’t want any foolish mistakes that may jeopardize their chances in the tournament.

Dennison topscored for the Green Lancers with 16 points. Slotman Rico Berami added 14 points while Diputado and Luga scored nine points apiece.

Awitin hit 20 points for UM but none of his other teammates could score in double figures.

The Final Four appearance of UV is the highest place the team had gone into the CCL since 2003.

The scores:

UV (78) – Dennison 16, Berami 14, Diputado 9, Luga 9, Lanete 8, Mepana 8, Villanil 7, Tancangco 5, Slaughter 2

UM (58) – Awitin 20, Palomares 8, Calatayud 8, Angalan 6, Calimpong 6, Ciceralde 3, Edulan 3, Blanco 2, Silvarez 1, Aporneo 1

Quarterscores: 22-11, 43-22, 59-43, 78-58 (With reports from Gabby Malagar and Caecent No-ot Magsumbol)