MANILA, Philippines - University of Visayas charged back from 16 points down to shock reigning UAAP champion National U, 77-74, while NCAA titlist San Beda blew a 20-point lead but survived University of San Carlos, 85-75, in the Elite Eight stage of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City over the weekend.
The Lancers trailed by as many as 16 and were still down at 71-72 after the Bulldogs scored five straight off two free-throws from Gelo Alolino after a technical foul called on the UV bench, and lay-up by Alfred Aroga, 2:19 remaining.
But the many-time Cebu champions refused to give up as Steve Akomo pulled down an offensive rebound after a Rhaffy Octobre split that tied the count at 72. Akomo’s putback gave the Lancers a two-point lead and the UV import blocked Alolino’s drive leading to Octobre’s free throws on the other end for a 76-72 lead with only 16.4 seconds remaining.
Alolino was then fouled while shooting a triple but made just two of three to trim the deficit, 74-76, 9.1 seconds to go. On UV’s inbound, NU trapped UV wingman Josue Segumpan into a corner and forced a jumpball between the latter and Glenn Khobuntin. But UV won the tip and John Abad was sent to the charity stripe and made a split to seal the upset victory.
Abad led all scorers with 18 points, Franz Arong added 17 markers and Akomo chipped in 14 points for the Lancers, who notched their first win under newly-installed head coach Gary Cortes following their setback to the La Salle Green Archers last Friday.
UV thus evened its card at 1-1 in Group B while NU is at 0-1. Troy Rosario scored 16 points to pace the Bulldogs while Alolino and Aroga added 14 and 13 markers, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Red Lions dominated in the early going, posting a 41-21 bulge in the second period but wavered midway in the fourth in the face of the USC Warriors’ fightback. Ian Tagapan scored eight points in a 14-4 run that tied the game at 67, 6:26 to go.
But the Red Lions kept their poise and responded with a 14-2 blast behind Art dela Cruz, Ola Adeogun and Baser Amer, who sank two triples to quell the USC’s rally.
Dela Cruz scored 23 points to lead the Red Lions while Amer and Adeogun had 14 and 12 points, respectively. Dan Sara chipped in 11 markers.