Worthy/UV demolishes Cebu Landmasters/USC

CEBU, Philippines - The Worthy-University of the Visayas Green Lancers swiftly bucked off a sluggish start to turn the tables on the Cebu Landmasters/University of San Carlos warriors, 76-62, at the start of the 8th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Partner's Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Rey Suerte topscored with 18 points, while Josue Segumpan unloaded 11 of his 15 points in a furious second-quarter uprising that bridged the Lancers to a decisive victory.

At first, no one could have thought of such a lopsided outcome for the Lancers as the Warriors greeted the game with a 10-1 bang, which they parlayed into an 11-point advantage after the opening session, 17-6.

That was the Warriors' only bright moment as they wilted under the a renewed challenge by the Lancers.

 Segumpan knocked in three 3-pointers as the Lancers outscored the Warriors in the second period, 28-13, to seize a 34-30 lead at the break.

It was cruise control for the Lancers from thereon. With Suerte and Michael Macion joining the dray,UV went on to establish an imposing 21-point bulge, 76-55, at the final two-minute mark of the contest.

The Warriors, who beat the Lancers in an epic best-of-five CESAFI finals last year to claim their first major basketball title in 57 years, scored the last seven points of the match to avoid further embarrassment.

   Ian Ortega finished with 13 points for the Warriors followed by Jules Langres with 10 in a losing cause.

Earlier, the Highlands Corned Beef-backed University of Cebu Webmasters and Mighty Sports/University of San Jose-Recoletos-Jaguars also got off to winning starts.

Garciano Puerto had 14 points on top of five reounds as UC blasted Tyron Properties/University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers, 91-72, while Ralph Dinolan, Ricky Peromingan and Miguel Gastador starred as USJ-R subdued My Led Opto/Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats, 70-63.

John Jabello added 12 points and passed out four assists, while Gileant Delatar and Clint Suelto each scored 11 for Webmasters, who did not give the Panthers some breathing room after cruising to a 17-point lead at halftime, 45-28.

On the other hand, Dinolan sparkled with 20 points laced with six rebounds, while Peromingan and Gastador connived for 30 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and three steals for the  Jaguars, who were never threatened after closing out the first half at 37-21.

Their biggest lead though stood at 18 points, 59-41, late in the third canto. The Wildcats pulled within seven points, 67-60, but were already out of time with only 1:53 left to play. (FREEMAN)