Lancers retain CESAFI crown

MANILA, Philippines - University of the Visayas defeated University of Cebu, 75-62, to capture its ninth consecutive CESAFI crown at the New Cebu City Coliseum recently.

Rookie Eman Calo led the Green Lancers with 21 points and drew support from Harold Cincoflores and Ritchum Dennison who had 15 and 10 points, respectively.

Greg Slaughter, UV’s 6-11 giant, was held down to six points, but shared the Most Valuable Players honors with Junmar Fajardo, the Webmasters’ 6-9 star center.

Moncrief Rogado led UC with 13 points in a losing cause while Fajardo had seven points.

UV earned the last outright spot in the Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League set Nov. 23. The Lancers lost to the Ateneo Eagles in the final two years ago and were eliminated by University of the East last year.

The Webmasters will have to qualify through the zonal phase set Nov. 6 to 8 in Cebu City.

Competing in that short tourney are UAAP fifth-placer Adamson, NAASCU champion San Sebastian-Cavite and CESAFI third-placer University of San Jose Recoletos.

The other CESAFI teams – San Carlos University and University of San Jose Recoletos – are also seeing action in the zonal qualifying games.

Competing at the Bacolod Zonals starting Nov. 4 to 6 are University of San Carlos, Arellano University Chiefs (NCAA fifth placer), West Negros University Mustangs (Visayas regional champion) and Holy Trinity College Wildcats (Mindanao regional champion).

UC Webmasters and USJ-R Jaguars will play in the Cebu Zonals starting Nov. 6 to 8, joining Adamson University Soaring Falcons (UAAP fifth placer) and San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Cavite Baycats (NAASCU champion).

Defending national champion De La Salle University leads 11 other teams in the hunt for the remaining three “Sweet 16” Finals seats during the zonal qualifying games at Metro Manila and Naga City.

The Green Archers will compete in the Naga City zonal games set Nov. 12.

For more details about the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Championship games sponsored by PLDT and SMART, visit the PCCL official website, www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net.