UV, USC eye crucial lead

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas Green Lancers and the University of San Carlos Warriors both train their sights on the pivotal 2-1 lead as they resume play in Game 3 of their best-of-five collegiate division finals in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men’s basketball tournament tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Warriors drew first blood to the tune of 76-70, but the Lancers bounced back with finesse in Game 2, 70-63, reduce the series into a mere best-of-three.

In those games, one common weakness of both sides was exposed and that is their tendency to relax towards the end of the game.

In the series opener, the Warriors suffered an offensive meltdown after posting a 72-55 lead at the final three-minute mark, allowing the Lancers to crawl within just four points, 73-69, with only 15 seconds to go. With time on their side though, the Carolinians went on to scrape through a six-point win.

The same thing happened to the Lancers in Game 2.

After establishing a 22-point advantage early in the fourth period, 58-36, the Lancers suddenly went to the freezer, enabling the Warriors to stage a 10-0 blitz capping a 27-10 rally that pulled them within five points, 63-68, with only 15 ticks to go.

But then again, it was too late for the Warriors to snatch victory as they were already clipped by the jaws of defeat at that time.

Though they came out victorious given those circumstances, coaches Gary Cortes and Britt Reroma of UV and USC, respectively, felt that is a pressing matter they have to address as they continue their fierce chase for the coveted championship.

“We really have to adjust on our strength for the endgame,” said Cortes, who aims to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Felix “Donbel” Belano Jr. to deliver a title for UV right in his rookie season as coach.

Reroma, for his part, said they have to make a lot of adjustments following their disappointing Game 2 debacle.

“We didn’t play out usual game in the first 35 minutes of Game 2. We were outrebounded and outhustled,” said Reroma. “We need to adjust on UV’s aggressiveness and have a good execution.”

Though import Shooster Olago scored 27 points, he was a non-factor for USC at the height of UV’s relentless offensive. He delivered 12 points in the final period but it did not matter as the outcome of the match already tilted in favor of the Lancers during his scoring binge.

Compounding USC’s woes was their local players. Except for Ian Tagapan, no one stepped up the scoring plate when they needed it most.  Victor Rabat, Ian Ortega and Charles Pepito combined for a measly 11 points, while Nico Magat laid a big fat egg.

For the Warriors to get back on the winning track, their local players must play a solid supporting cast to Olago, their main source of power and strength on both ends.

The Lancers, on the other hand, hope to again draw a tremendous defensive effort from Steve Cedrick Akomo as well as a stellar showing from June Kent Manzo, Alfred Codilla, Rey Suerte and Franz Arong. They can also count on the likes of  Arvie Cabanero, Joshue Segumpan, Jerome Napao, Vincent and Alwin Aguirre.

As for UV’s injured star forward Leonard Santillan, he is still listed day-to-day, but may suit up for today’s crucial match to give the Lancers the much-needed boost. (FREEMAN)