UV Lancers boost bid for Top 2 spot

CEBU, Philippines — The Grand Slam-seeking University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers bolstered their bid for a top two finish and a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 men’s basketball tournament with a 70-61 defeat of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers on Sunday, November 17, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Raul Gentallan was the only UV player in double figures with 14 points on top of seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in a dazzling all-around show for the Lancers who ended their elimination round campaign with a 7-1 win-loss record, a full game behind the 7-0 University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters.

The top two qualifiers in the college division though has yet to be determined as the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs are still in the mix with a 5-1 card.

The Cheetahs could still clinch the No.1 spot if they hurdle their last two games against the Webmasters and the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats.

In the juniors level, Christophelcian Abellana led a balanced attack with 21 points as the UV Baby Lancers annihilated the BC Baby Cheetahs, 125-67, to secure a semifinals berth with an 8-2 mark, while the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons displayed great team effort to rout the USPF Baby Panthers, 58-35, and stay in contention for the semis.

Tied with identical 7-3 slates, the CEC and the UC Baby Webmasters will figure in a knockout match for the fourth and last semis spot on November 26.

Meanwhile, Kent Noguerra and Jances Emmanuel Anacta combined for 30 points, nine rebounds, seven steals and three blocks as the CIT-U Baby Wildcats thrashed the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC)-Cebu Greywolves, 79-42, to bow out with 7-4 record - their best ever performance in the league’s 24-year history. — (FREEMAN)