UV Lancers keep CESAFI throne

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers outclassed the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 60-41, in the rubber match of their best-of-three finals to retain their college division throne in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 23 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday, December 16, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Finals MVP Kent Ivo Salarda and Raul Gentallan combined for 25 points as the Lancers grabbed their fifth crown in seven straight finals appearances since 2015, all under the guidance of Gary Cortes.

Overall, the Lancers pocketed their 15th championship trophy to galvanize their status as the winningest team in the league’s 23-year history sparked by an unprecedented nine consecutive titles from 2001 to 2009 with coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug at the helm back then.

“I consider this victory as the sweetest ilabi na kay naunhan mi sa series,” said coach Cortes. “Our character, our never-say-die spirit bring us to this championship. We have no star complex in our team. Usa among lakaw, usa among tumong.”

“As for UC, they’re a fighter. It’s just so happen nga wala ma-igo ang ila mga shots mao to ni-take advantage mi especially in the third quarter,” Cortes continued.

The Lancers got off a good start to establish a double-digit edge, 15-5, with 3:13 left in the first period.

The Webmasters kept it close, pulling within 22-25 but Raul Gentallan dropped eight straight points to secure a 33-27 UV lead entering the locker room.

The Webmasters actually could have gotten closer but Zareygel Rosano went 1-of-5 from the foul line in the dying seconds of the first half.

The Webmasters trimmed the deficit down to only two 31-33 but that was the closest they could come as the Lancers detonated a 12-0 bomb to mount an imposing 45-31 bulge with three minutes left in the third quarter.

The Lancers kept on breathing fire on the way to charting their biggest advantage at 19 points, 60-41, with only 1:32 remaining which turned out to be the final tally.