Baby Lancers grab last ticket to juniors division semifinals

CEBU, Philippines – The University of the Visayas Baby Lancers bested the University of San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars, 77-58, in their one-sided knockout duel to grab the fourth and last semifinal ticket in the juniors division of the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. men's basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Baby Lancers, thus, joined the topseed Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles (8-0),the University of San Carlos Baby Warriors (6-2), and the University of Cebu Junior Webmasters (5-3) in the semis that will start tomorrow.

The Baby Lancers, who swept the twice-to-beat Baby Jaguars, relied heavily on Raul "Jancork" Cabahug, who topscored with 22 points on top of 17 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in an all-around show of hardcourt brilliance.

A hukling center with sweet shooting touch, Cabahug was unstoppable at the paint as he brought his smaller rivals into virtcual clinic in almost all departments.

The outcome of the match was a foregone conclusion after the Baby Lancers raced to a blistering 27-5 start. They made it a 42-18 count at the end of the first half where the Baby Jaguars had a miserable 6-of-37 shooting from the field.

Cabahug had plenty of help from his teammates, with Thiey Paraldo and Marvin Rey Oche cashing in 11 points apiece ande Beirn Anthony Laurente chipping in 10 markers.

Joshua Renz Ortiz, who was whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul early in the game, led the Baby Jaguars with 13 points followed by John Kirk Gonzaga ang Geo Ibero with 10 each in a losing effort.

The scores

UV (77) - Cabahug 22, Paraldo 11, Oche 11, Laurente 10, Ro. Alforque 8, Amistoso 6, Ra. Alforque 3, Membrano 2, Yerro 2, Padilla 2.

USJ-R (58) - Ortiz 13, Gonzaga 10, Ibero 10, Ando 8, Enriquez 8, Leonora 4, Teleron 3, Dado 2. (FREEMAN)