CEBU, Philippines - Team Cebu defeated Iloilo, 68-58, to get that crucial head start at the Visayas Regional Finals of the Coca Cola PBA Youngstars Tournament played at the Ateneo de Iloilo Gym in Iloilo City.
Cebu, which is bannered by the Lancers Ballclub, went to the deadly duo of Joshua Flores and Orlan Wamar anew, but went hot and cold before finishing off Iloilo in the end game.
The Lancers started out hot, taking a 7-0 lead to start the game, but Iloilo bounced back cutting the lead to 14-12 at the end of the first quarter. Cebu kicked off the second period on fire again via a 12-0 run, but cooled off as Iloilo, manned by hosts Ateneo de Iloilo, rallied to narrow the Cebu lead to 34-28 at halftime. Iloilo then went to their three-point shooting to cut the lead to 46-43 after three quarters.
Cebu, however, showed their championship experience and went to their defense while pulling away for good in the fourth quarter.
This was the second meeting of both sides as they also faced off against each other in the regional finals of the SBP Passerelle tournament last November. Flores and Wamar combined for 37 points to lead Cebu. Jorel Narido led Iloilo with 27 points.
Cebu faces Bacolod next in this simple round robin format among the three teams. A win over Bacolod sends Cebu to the national finals for a third straight year. (FREEMAN)