UV Baby Lancers make history

CEBU, Philippines — Vandolf Franky Urdaneta rained 3-point bombs in overtime as the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers upended the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, 57-48, in the rubber match of their best-of-three finals series to become the first ever Under 15 basketball champions of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) on Wednesday night, December 4, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Urdaneta, the Finals MVP, sizzled with 13 points, five rebounds, three blocks and a steal to power the Baby Lancers to the historic crown.

Ahead by just a hairline, 46-45, with 40 seconds gone by in the five-minute extension, Urdaneta suddenly caught fire, drilling in three consecutive shots from beyond the arc to seal UV’s breakthrough triumph.

It was a triple celebration for Urdaneta as he also made it to the Mythical 5 together with his teammate Gabrielle Manlucot, Ryle Subeta of the CEC Dragons, Vince Ibarita of the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors, and Francel Flores of the Benedicto College (BC) Baby Cheetahs.

When the score was tied at 44-all with only 16 seconds left in the regulation period, the Dragons actually had a chance to write history but blew their chances when Subeta missed a potential game-winner.

As CEC struggled without its injured star guard Dwayne Cañete in extra time, the Baby Lancers waltzed their way to golden glory, thanks to the hot hands of Urdaneta that became their saving grace.

Bouncing back with aplomb from a stinging Game 1 loss, head coach Ronald Bucao said UV’s mantra of fighting best when the odds are greatest carried them to golden success.

“Ang nakapa-champion gyud namo ang UV mentality nga dili mosugot magpapilde. Grabe ang fighting spirit ug dako kaayo og heart ang mga bata. Tanan credit para nila. Proud of my boys nga wala gyud sila ni give up until the end,” said Bucao.

“Mapasalamaton ko sa whole UV community sa ilang makanunayong suporta. Sa tanan parents, sa among athletic director sir Cris Mejarito, ug sa UV management especially boss kons Digul Gullas, Mayor Samsam and to the Gullas family,” Bucao added. “Daghan sab kaayong salamat sa akong pamilya sa pagsabot, sa akong fellow coaches sa pag-share sa inyong ideas ug sa akong mentor coach Jun Pepito sa suporta. Para ato ning tanan nga kalamposan.”