Team Cebu/Lancers is runner-up anew at Coke PBA

CEBU, Philippines - For the second year in a row, Team Cebu/Lancers finished as runner-up at the national finals of the Coca Cola PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament 2013, bowing to Laguna, 65-52, at the Blue Eagle Gym last Friday.

Laguna went to the hot hands of Gio Calacalsada who had 23 points and the support of tournament MVP Frederick Tungcab who added 15 points. Team Cebu was led by Joshua Flores and Orlan Wamar who had 18 points each. Jun Manzo, the third player of the team’s triple threat was limited to a tournament low four points.

The loss marked their only defeat of the entire season after sweeping both the Cebu and Visayas legs of the step-ladder nationwide tournament. They scored six straight wins in the Cebu leg including a win over Team Warriors in the Cebu leg championship game. They then added two more wins in the Visayas leg where they defeated the champions from Bacolod and Iloilo.

Manzo was recognized for his efforts in the national finals as he was named to the Mythical Five along with Calacalsada and Tungcab of Laguna, Glenn Gallardo of Cagayan de Oro and Desmond Santos of KABAKA Manila.

This is the second straight runner-up finish for the UV-backed squad at the national finals of the Under 16 age group. They also placed second to La Salle Greenhills at the national finals of the BEST Center SBP/Passerelle Tournament sponsored by Milo last November 2012.

Next up for the team is the SBP National Under 16 tournament where UV is the defending champion. This will be held June 1-5 in Manila.

The scores

Laguna (65) - G. Calacalsada 23pts, F.Tungcab 15, S.Abuhijleh 9, J.Moleta 8, M.Canlas 6, L.Sese 3 , J. Natividad 1

CEBU (52) - T.Flores 18, O. Wamar 18, J. King 7, J. Manzo 4, J. Gonzaga 3, F. Maglasang 2 (FREEMAN)