UV eyes 7-0 sweep

CEBU, Philippines - Fresh from a precarious 80-77 victory over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, nine-time champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers are back on the floor tonight with a sweep-game sweep on their minds when they take on the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras in the main match of the 10th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) at the Cebu Coliseum.

 Ralf Olivares had only four points before showing up in the final one minute when he scored another four straight points for the Lancers that proved to be the key in their victory as he padded their lead to 79-75 with only 19.9 seconds left.

The Jaguars, who trailed only by three points in the final 9.3 seconds when Phil Mercader split his charities, 80-77, had the chance to send the game into overtime but Jun Lapiz missed a desperate heave and just a split seconds before the buzzer, Jason Nudalo made a retrieval but his hesitation attempt was deflected by Mercader.

The loss prolonged the Jaguars’ agony as they crashed to their fifth defeat in six games. Their last chance to avoid their worst finish in the 10-year-old CESAFI is to win against the winless University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers tomorrow.

Adrian Lao had a silent 12 points to lead the 6-0 Lancers, while Mercader added 11 markers. Jerome Silva and rookie center Rene Jun Saycon chipped in 10 points apiece.

Kurt Amores and Gian Carlo Albarillo led the Jaguars with 17 and 15 points, respectively, while Abulaiz Suliman and Lapiz had 13 and 11 points across their names. (THE FREEMAN)