CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas Green Lancers dropped what is by far the biggest bombshell in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Elite Eight Series after it stunned the reigning UAAP champions National University Bulldogs, 77-74, last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
A defeaning roar from the pro-UV fans enveloped the coliseum after the final buzzer honked, truly a valued gesture as no one would have ever thought that the Lancers, the underdogs even among the three Cebu contenders in the five-day joust, are capable of pulling off such monumental upset over a heavily favored squad that recently made headlines for clinching a historic championship that ended NU's 60-year title drought in the UAAP.
It was certainly an epic triumph for the Lancers, who valiantly rose from a 17-point deficit on the way to pull off a stunner that somehow reminded everyone that despite their dismal campaign in the 2014 CESAFI season, they are still the winningest ballclub in local basketball history.
Trailing 15-32 midway in the second period, the Lancers greeted the third period with a 7-0 blitz to set up the stage of a huge comeback. After the Bulldogs scored on a five-point swing, the wards of Gary Cortes countered with a searing 15-4 run to close within just four points, 53-57.
After UV's Rhaffy Octobre knotted the count at 67-all, the crowd further burst into frenzied celebration when John Michael Abad scored on a follow-up off his own miss to hand the Lancers their first taste of lead, 69-67, with only four minutes left to play.
Faced with a four-point deficit, 67-71, the Bulldogs kept the thrilled spectators on their feet after they tied the count at 72-all. NU could have regained the upperhand, but Steve Cedrick Akomo made a crucial block on an attempt by Gelo Alolino to the delight of the Lancers bench and their throng of spectators.
The Lancers zoomed on top by four, 76-72, but the Bulldogs could only pull within 74-76 on two free throws by Alolino. In the enduing play, Abad only split his charities but it was more than enough to seal UV's resounding victory with only 1.5 seconds left to play.
Abad topped the Lancers with 18 points, while Franz Arong and Akomo chipped in 17 and 15 points, respectively. The win kept UV's Final Four bid alive, much more if they prevail over the Arellano University Chief in their scheduled 5:15 p.m. match today. — EBV with GGM (FREEMAN)
The scores
UV (77) — Abad 18, Arong 17, Akomo 15, Segumpan 8, Codilla 7, Octobre 7, Aguirre 4, Santillan 2.
NU (74) — Rosario 16, Alolino 14, Aroga 13, Khobuntin 9, Diputado 7, Clda 5, Betaynene 4, Neypes 4, Perez 2 Halftime: 28-42