CEBU, Philippines - No Gregory Slaughter, no problem for the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers.
Games today
(Cebu Coliseum)
4:30 pm USPF vs. CIT (Jrs.)
6 pm USC vs. SWU (Srs.)
The UV Lancers came up with a searing 17-0 rally in the closing minutes of the contest to shoot down the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, 79-69, and keep the solo second spot in the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season on Sunday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Despite playing without Slaughter who served his one-game suspension, the Lancers were in control of the match but were threatened when the Cobras pulled within just a hairline, 59-60, with still 7:43 left to play.
A short jumper by Phil Mercader, however, sparked a furious scoring rampage that suddenly saw the Lancers ripping the game apart with an imposing 18-point bulge, 77-59, heading into the final two-minute zone.
Aside from Mercader, the other key players in that devastating UV assault were Ralf Olivares, Harold Cincoflores, Chris Victor Diputado and Ritchum Dennison.
Chris Litorja ended SWU’s long scoring drought but it was a little too late as the Lancers were already safely ahead.
Mercader and Dennison each scored 16 points, while Diputado chipped in a dozen markers for the UV Lancers of coach Elmber “Boy” Cabahug, who notched their fifth victory against a solitary defeat.
Gilbert Gallarde, who dominated the post in the absence of Slaughter, scattered 18 points but that was not enough as the Cobras fell to 2-2. Flashy guard Eliud Poligrates, who had too much dribbling exhibitions and committed a string of turnovers, finished with 13 points, while Litorja and Diango connived for 21 markers in a losing effort.
The Cobras hope to bounce back from their UV debacle when they take on the hard-fighting University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors at 6:00 tonight, right after the secondary battle between the USPF Baby Panthers and the CIT Wildkittens at 4:30 pm.
The scores
UV (79) - Mercader 16, Dennison 16, Diputado 12, Cincoflores 7, Rez 7, Lasala 6, Calo 6, Olivares 5, Cabahug 2, Lao 2
SWU (69) - Gallarde 18, Poligrates 13, Litorja 11, Diango 10, Armecin 8, Pria 4, Palileo 3, Jalandoni 3
Halftime: 37-30 (FREEMAN NEWS)