UV, USC falter in opener

CEBU, Philippines -  Local bets representing the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. lost in their respective games in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Reigning CESAFI champion University of the Visayas Green Lancers and University of San Carlos  Warriors both suffered lopsided defeats against their rivals from NCAA.

The Lancers lost to University of Perpetual Help Altas, 83-59, while the Warriors received a beating from Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 78-61.

The much larger Green Lancers tried to slow the game down and set up offense for their imports Cedric Akomo and Mpolina while the Altas ran the ball off misses, makes and turnovers.

The offensive strategy seemed to wear down the lumbering Lancers and over the course of the third and fourth quarters, the Altas side steadily pulled away from the opposition.

Earl Thompson top scored Altas with 23 points, while swingman Juneric Baloria inked 21 points.

UV center Wowie Escosio was the only one who scored double-digits with 11 points, followed by John Abad who has nine markers.

Earlier, the Heavy Bombers outclassed USC who debuted in the tournament.

From the opening tip, the Bombers showed a capacity to smother the USC defense, getting tips and deflections off passes, bothering ball handlers with an active press defense, and closing out hard on shooters. The Warrior offense ran deep into possessions and up against the shot clock commiting multiple 24 second violations in the half.

The only offensive player of any note for the USC side was Congo Republic native Espoir Toyambi who scored 16 points in the first half, most of which came in semi-transition when the Warriors were able to break the JRU press.

The JRU offense was anchored in the first half by team captain Michael Mabulac who scored an efficient nine points on three shots, putting up points in the paint despite being matched up against the much taller Toyambi.

The Cebuano perimeter scorers finally found their mark in the third quarter, helping the Warriors match their entire first half output in the period. Miguel Plata came off the bench to hit four three-pointers to account for all 12 of his points.

A 12-2 San Carlos run in the third quarter momentarily cut the JRU lead to 12 but the Heavy Bombers also started to find their range to fend off the onslaught. — LPM (FREEMAN)