Freeman Cebu Sports

UV Lancers, Panthers suffer contrasting fates in Bayugan

June 27, 2017 | 4:00pm

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, Philippines — The University of the Visayas Green Lancers and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers suffered contrasting fates in the 2nd Mayor Kim Lope A. Asis Collegiate Basketball Invitational Tournament at the Lope Asis Memorial Gymnasium here yesterday.

The Lancers launched a decisive opening attack to obliterate the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, 95-74, while the Panthers wilted in the face of a spirited challenge by Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan to yield a 100-93 decision to the Crusaders.

All 15 players summoned by coach Gary Cortes hit the scoring chart for the Lancers, so explosive that they annihilated the Generals just within the first 12 minutes of play.

After UV skipper Josue Segumpan canned a 3-pointer with just eight seconds gone by from the tip-off, the Generals could only come close at 4-5 as the Lancers detonated a devastating 25-4 bomb to rip the game apart, 30-8, in 7:52 of the second quarter.

The outcome of the lopsided match was already a foregone conclusion when the Lancers stretched their lead to 29 points twice, the last was at 65-36 at the 4:53 mark of the third period. The Generals couldn't get any closer than 18 points, 54-72.

Sharpshooting guard Tristan Albina paced the Lancers with 15 points spiked with four treys while Segumpan, Rey Suerte and Gileant Delator chipped in with 10 markers apiece.

The reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) champions, who were still slugging it out with the Crusaders as of this writing last night, will be put to a major test when they take on the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers at 8:30 p.m. today.

In the other game, the Panthers paid dearly of their lukewarm start that resulted into an early 13-point deficit, 27-14, late in the first period.

They managed to seize the upperhand at halftime, 47-44, but it did not take long for the Crusaders to regain control, 61-58, on LJ Aquino's triple with 5:26 to go in the third.

The Panthers took back the lead 68-67 but Xavier U responded with a 9-2 to close the third period with a 76-70 edge.

The Crusaders were in control from there onwards.

Just down by three with only a minute left to play, 92-95, the Panthers had a chance to tie the count after Lyndon Colina was fouled while making a 3-point attempt but Colina could only make one free throw that spelled their doom.

Mark Labares, who once played for the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in the CESAFI, then went 4-of-4 from the line before Aquino split his charities to seal the deal for the Crusaders.

Aquino topped the Crusaders with a game-high 28 points, while John Rey Manaytay asserted his dominance down low to finish with 23 markers. Billy Jadap and Dario Piatti also earned a living at the shaded lane where they scored most of the 23 points in between them.

Lugie Cuyos led the Panthers with 16 points while their 6-foot-8 Nigerian import Ritchie Managor could only score 12.

First game

UV (95) — Albina 15, Suerte 10, Segumpan 10, Delator 10, Napao 8, Gahi 8, Balabag 8, Sackor 8, Ja. Hassan 4, Jo. Hassan 4, Testa 2, Maestre 2, Botuhan 2, Saga 2, Soliva 2

EAC (74) — Garcia 16, Munsayac 11, Diego 8, Onwebere 7, Bautista 6, Mendoza 6, Guzman 6, Neri 6, Bugarin 4, Tampoc 2, Altiche 2

Quarterscores: 24-6;55-27;77-56;95-74