Warriors, Lancers rout foes

CEBU, Philippines – The University of San Carlos Warriors and the University of the Visayas Green Lancers both had little trouble in reasserting their dominance over their lowly rivals in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Warriors just needed a second-quarter offensive spark to hammer out a 100-72 rout of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers, while the Lancers breathe fire right after the opening tip-off to crush the University of Cebu Webmasters, 91-62.

Five players cashed in double figures led by Cameeronian enforcer Shooter Olago with another solid double-double show of  22 points and 10 rebounds as the Warriors quickly bounced back from a gut-wrenching loss to the Southwestern University Cobras to firm up their grip of the solo lead with a 7-1 win-loss record.

Rebounding demon Charles Pepito turned in 1 6 points on top of 11 caroms, while Ian Tagapan and Ian Ortega banged in 13 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Warriors, who gamely recovered from a tentative start to prolong the agony of the Panthers, who slumped to their eight straight loss.

The Panthers got off to a spirited, forging several deadlocks and even took a 30-28 lead on back-to-back treys by Wisdom Ceniza and Thomas Laver with still 7:12 left in the second period, but that was their last stand as the Warriors replied with a fluid 15-0 spurt to regain full control of the match with a 43-30 advantage.

The Warriors kept their offensive fire burning on the way to register a commanding 75-44 advantage with 1:40 remaining in the third canto that sent the Panthers reeling the rest of the way.

The Lancers were similarly impressive in a 29-point blowout of the Webmasters that gave them the solo second spot in the standings with a 7-2 win-loss card.

JV Veloso had 13 points on top of five rebounds and two assists, while Rey Suerte and Alwyn Aguirre each scored 10 for the Lancers, who rocked the Lancers with their blitzkrieg 31-9 attack at the first 10 minutes of play. Their second wave of assault via a 20-8 burst gave them their biggest lead at 34 points, 51-17, at 1:27 into halftime.

The rest, they say, is history as the Lancers handily dealt the Webmasters their fifth loss in eight starts. (FREEMAN)