Lancers spank Cobras, sweep elims

CEBU, Philippines - Rock-solid center Hernal “Wowie” Escocio bulldozed his way to 23 points as the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers smothered the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, 95-86, in what could be the finals preview of the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament last Sunday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

In tandem with 6-foot-7 Nigerian recruit Steve Cedrick Akomo, Escocio and the Lancers dominated SWU twin towers Benoit Mbala and Justin Aboude as they raced to an early 24-14 lead.

The Cobras replied with a 13-2 blast to wrest the driver's seat, 27-26, on Mierben Dedace's jumper, but the Lancers quickly regained the upperhand and took double-digit leads in several occasions including at 84-73 entering the final four-minute mark of the contest.

Cobra gunner Monbert Arong caught fire in the final quarter, but it did not cause any damage to the Lancers, who went on to complete a six-game elimination round sweep.

Akomo chipped in 11 points, while Jerome Silva and Eman Calo finished with 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Arong led the 2-3 Cobras with 24 points.

In the secondary matches, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles kept their unbeaten record intact with an 88-56 rout of the USC Baby Warriors, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildkittens slammed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 78-70, while the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons escaped with a 66-63 win over the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters.

The scores

UV (95) - Escocio 23, Silva 16, Calo 12, Akomo 11, Mercader 9, Abad 6, Octobre 5, Mendoza 4, Saycon 4, Perolino 3, Avillanoza 2

SWU (86) - Arong 24, Mbala 18, Nalos 11, Aboude 10, Dedace 8, Goloran 7, Casquejo 4, Bregondo 4 (FREEMAN)