CEBU, Philippines — The two-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters maintained their perfect starts in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 basketball tournament on Saturday, October 5, at the Cebu Coliseum.
Reigning CESAFI MVP Kent Ivo Salarda and Raul Gentallan both came up with a dazzling double-double show to power the Lancers past the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 77-69.
Salarda netted 21 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists, while Gentallan banged in 20 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and four steals in the Lancers’ second straight win.
The Lancers actually had a lukewarm start and trailed by seven points, 30-37, at halftime but retaliated with a 28-17 blast in the third frame to grab the lead, 58-54, after three quarters for good.
Froiland Maglasang and Zylle Cabellon also cracked double figures with 10 points each for the Lancers.
Kyle Maglinte and James Paolo Gica combined for 33 points but to no avail as the Warriors fell flat for the fourth consecutive time.
In the juniors division, the UC Baby Webmasters tamed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 70-62, in a duel of unbeaten teams.
Dio Gonzales and Carlo Salgarino showed the way as the Baby Webmasters stretched their hot streak to three games in a row under the guidance of new head coach Reggie Licanda.
Gonzales finished with 14 points, four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while Salgarino added 11 points, eight rebounds, and three steals for the dominant Baby Webmasters, who led by as much as 16 points, 53-37, halfway through the third quarter.
Fritz Gonzales paced USPF with 15 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and four steals. Marcus Lozano and Champ Brigoli tallied 10 markers apiece but they all went home on a pensive mood as the Baby Panthers’ two-game winning run came to an end.