UV teams gun for second straight victory

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers gun for their second straight victory when they take on the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats in the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

In the first game at 5 pm, the UV Baby Lancers also shoot for win No.2 when they square off against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers.

The UV Lancers hope to sustain the momentum of their 86-63 demolition of the USPF Panthers as they bid to join the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars on top of the leaderboard.

The Jaguars of coach Edito Salacut are the surprise front-runner of the league with a 2-0 slate following their 80-72 conquest of the highly-fancied Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, 80-72, last Saturday.

Talking of an upset, it happened again last Sunday when the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors of debutant coach Julian Macoy made a last ditch rally in the fourth period to repulse defending champion University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 86-79.

June Michael Cantonao and Taiwanese-American Stephen Que hit clutch triples to ignite a big run for the Warriors in the windup. Nico Magat also knocked in a triple as the Warriors mounted their largest lead of eight points, 75-67, at the final 3:30 mark of the contest.

Carl Valencia and Nilton John Otida then calmly sank their free throws as the Warriors quickly bounced back from a season-opening defeat to the Jaguars.

Center Charles Pepito showed a lot of good moves at the shaded lane to pace the Warriors with 15 points. Cantonao and Magat scored 14 apiece, while Otida and Que chipped in 10 markers combined.

UC big guard Quinton Brian Heruela exploded with a season-high 26 points, but his efforts went for naught as the Webmasters got a rude welcome in their title defense. Kim Gomez finished with 13 points for UC, while Gil Wagas and rookie guard Bennick Sealana had 11 points each in a losing cause.

In the secondary matches last Sunday, the Baby Lancers upended the Baby Warriors, 79-74, the Baby Jaguars hammered the DBTC Greywolves, 65-40, while the Junior Webmasters escaped with a 92-90 decision over the Baby Panthers. (FREEMAN)