Lancers overcome Panthers to march into CESAFI semis

CEBU, Philippines - Eight-time champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers masterfully overhauled an 18-point deficit to wipe out the upset-seeking University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 69-65, and advance into the semifinals without any glitch in the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season the other night at the USC gym.

Games tomorrow

(Cebu Coliseum)

1:00 pm USC vs. CIT (Jrs.)

2:30 pm USJR vs. SHS-J (Jrs.)

4:00 pm USJ-R vs. CIT (Srs.)

5:30 pm USC vs. SWU (Srs.)

The Panthers caught the Lancers by surprise as they dictated the pace of the match right from the opening buzzer and even led by a mile, 54-36, in the third period.

But don't count out the heart of a champion that wields vast experience and hardcourt maturity.

After chopping the deficit down to 13 points, 41-54, the Lancers opened the final quarter with a fluid 10-0 burst to pull within just three points, 51-54, with still 7:20 left to play.

The Panthers fired back to pad their lead to 57-51 on a three-point play by Dennis Tabada, but UV's Phil Mercader suddenly took matters into his own hands by charting nine straight points to put the Lancers on top by a hairline, 62-61, entering the final two-minute zone of the contest.

The sweet-shooting Fritz Dajalos, son of ex-Lancer Stevenson, gave the Panthers their last taste of lead, 63-62, as Edrian Lao sank an undergoal stab in the ensuing play to push the Lancers ahead for good, 64-63.

Lao topscored for the Lancers with 15 points followed by Mercader and Ritchum Dennision with 12 markers apiece. 6-foot-11 giant Gregory Slaughter had a sub-par on the offensive end netting only nine points, but had great contribution on the defensive side.

Overall, the Lancers outscored the Panthers in the final period, 28-11.

Dajalos was the lone double-digit scorer for the Panthers with 19 points.

The scores

UV (69) - Lao 15, Mercader 12, Dennison 12, Slaughter 9, Diputado 6, Cincoflores 5, Cabahug 4, Lasala 2, Manigque 2, Olivares 2

USPF (65) - Dajalos 19, Rivera 9, Tabada 9, Durano 8, Linao 6, Avila 5, Fuentes 5, Bardilas 2, Sedurifa 2 Halftime: 26-33   (FREEMAN NEWS)