Lancers end 2-game skid

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas Green Lancers used a second-quarter explosion to shackle the University of Cebu Webmasters, 72-59, and snap out of their two-game slide in the 16th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Skipper Josue Segumpan topscored with 12 points, Bassieru Sackor nailed 11 markets, while Rey Suerte and Alfred Codilla connived for 18 points as the Lancers repositioned themselves at second place in the standings alongside the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars with identical 7-3 win-loss cards.

The Webmasters, playing without their head coach Kernn Sesante who is on personal trip in Australia, rolled to a 15-8 start, but Alfred Codilla sparked an 11- 2 run to push the Lancers ahead by two, 19-17, after the first 10 minutes of play.

A four-point swing by Alex Nazareno and Garciano Puerto put the Webmasters on top again, 21-19, but only very briefly as Liberian import Sackor scored seven points in a 15-0 blitz that vaulted the Lancers to a 34-21 edge with 1:26 left in the second quarter.

Inspired by the pep talk of Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League chairman Buddy Encarnado at their dugout during halftime, the Lancers of coach Gary Cortes kept their energy level even higher on the way to establish an insurmountable 24-point advantage, 67-43, with less than five minutes left to play.

"Watching your game make my Cebu trip worthwhile.  I love the enthusiasm, the energy level. I love the way you play. Hopefully you would go all the way to the championship," said Encarnado, a former top excutive of the PBA representing the Sta. Lucia Realtors.

While the Lancers sustained their momentum, the Webmasters couldn't find a way to get out of the deep hole they're in on the way to absorb their eighth loss in 11 games. Justine Dacalos finished with 12 points for UC followed by Puerto with 10. (FREEMAN)