UV bantams trounce USC

CEBU, Philippines - After unintentionally dropping their first game on confusion of the schedule, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers bounced back with fire in their eyes, hacking out an impressive 78-58 demolition of the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors last night in the 10th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games tomorrow (Cebu Coliseum)

4:30 pm SHS-Ateneo vs. UC (Jrs.)

6 pm USPF vs. SWU (Srs.)

The Baby Lancers, who lost by default to the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildkittens last Sunday, transformed a sluggish first half into a crushing force during the fourth period where they coasted to an insurmountable 23-point lead, 78-55, with less than two minutes to go.

Vincent Mendoza showed up in the fourth period, while Michael Smith carried the scoring cudgels in the second stanza to lead the Baby Lancers with identical 21 points. Alwin Aguirre added 14 markers as they chalked up their first win of the season.

The Baby Warriors actually took an early 20-14 advantage, but the Baby Lancers retaliated with a 16-0 blitz to take a 32-20 lead. The Baby Warriors' offense was in disarray from there onwards.

Harvey Palapar paced the Baby Warriors with 23 points, 10 of them in the third period. Without Palapar, the Baby Warriors would have been buried into rubbles as the Baby Lancers showed their prowess and vast experience being the CESAFI Partner's Cup champion last April in Dumanjug.

Anthony Romaguera, who averaged in double figures last season and a three-point specialist, was not in his deadly form as he scored only 10.

Meanwhile, the plan by the USC Warriors to forfeit their match against the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters last night was aborted as the former showed up and played on orders of USC president Fr. Ernesto Lagura, SVD.

The scores

UV (78) - Mendoza 21, Smith 21, Aguirre 14, Suan 8, Flores 7, Legarde 6, Nuñez 6, Cenita 4, Dennison 2, Undaloc 2

USC (58) - Palapar 23, Romaguerra 10, Uy 8, Guardiario 6, Malana 4, Jaca 4, Pajantoy 2, Bacaltos 1

Halftime: 37-25.  - THE FREEMAN