USC, UV set up dream finals

CEBU, Philippines – The University of San Carlos Warriors and the University of the Visayas Green Lancers terminated their respective rivals to set up a dream title showdown in the collegiate division of the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Warriors completed a three-game semifinal sweep but had to labor hard all throughout the 40-minute skirmish before knocking out the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars, 86-81, while the Lancers had little trouble in handing the Southwestern University Cobras their exit slip via a 74-59 decision.

With their fate lies on his broad shoulders, Cameroonian import Shooter Olago gamely rose to the challenge, dishing out a monster double-double show of 38 points and 18 rebounds spotlighted by four straight points that pumped up life for the Warriors when the game was on the line.

Despite the loss that quashed out their championship hopes, the Jaguars could still hold their heads up high for giving the Warriors one heck of a fight that obviously entertained the spectators. After losing an early 5-11 lead, the Jaguars fought toe-to-toe with the Warriors until the last tick of the gameclock.

Trailing by just a hairline, 75-76, the Jaguars could have seized the driver's seat, and possibly the momentum of the match, but Jaybie Mantilla botched two free throws with 4:02 remaining. They closed in for the last time at 78-80 as Olago bulldozed his way to back-to-back baskets that gave the Warriors an 84-80 breather with only 52 seconds to go. Ian Tagapan then settled the final tally off a barelling drive at the final 31 seconds.

Nico Magat finished with 11 points, while Charles Pepito scored 10 and hauled the same number of rebounds for the Warriors, who will take another shot at the coveted crown that was denied from them by the Cobras last season.

Earlier, the Lancers kept the Cobras at bay after closing the first half with a 32-23 edge. They further wobbled the dethroned champion after taking a huge 53-32 lead at the end of the third period although their biggest stood at 24 points, 56-32, off a triple by Alfred Codilla with just 28 seconds gone by in the final quarter.

In the sudden-death battle for third place in the juniors division, Bern Anthony Laurente hit a buzzer-beating put-back off a missed trey by Jim Paul Amistoso to power the UV Baby Lancers to a nerve-wracking 57-55 victory  over the USC Baby Warriors. (FREEMAN)