Lancers stay perfect at 3-0, seal final berth in Bayugan

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan Del Sur, Philippines – The University of the Visayas Green Lancers had no problem playing three consecutive games within 26 hours.

After crushing the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, the Lancers picked up two more lopsided wins that earned them outright final spot in the 2nd Mayor Kim Lope A. Asis Collegiate Basketball Invitational Tournament at the sprawling Lope Asis Memorial Gymnasium here yesterday.

The Lancers waylaid the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan Crusaders, 110-70, then stretched their hot streak to 3-0 with a 110-89 shellacking of fellow Cebu contender University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers.

Thus, the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc (CESAFI) champions put themselves on collision course with the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers, who plowed through back-to-back victories against the EAC Generals, 88-77, and Xavier U Crusaders, 92-56.

UV palpably took things easy against the Crusaders, fielding in only one star player each in the first and second quarter. Despite that, they still zoomed to a 46-39 edge at halftime.

The Lancers' obliteration of the Crusaders started in final half when coach Gary Cortes checked in his starting unit in full force.

Josue Segumpan responded by scoring all his 13 points in the third quarter as the Lancers blew up their lead to 76-54, which they later turned into an imposing 41-point bulge, 101-60,  at the final 2:52 mark of the contest.

Opposite the Panthers, the Lancers easily overhauled an early 13-point deficit, then used furious second-quarter offensive to change the course of the match in their favor.

Trailing 19-32 with a minute left in the opening session, Sheldon Gahi, Rey Suerte and Tristan Albina fired three consecutive 3-pointers to spark a crippling 42-11 rally that vaulted the Lancers to a 61-43 advantage at the break.

UV's lead ballooned to 30 points, 99-69, leaving the Panthers in complete disarray in the remaining seven minutes of play.

As of this writing last night, the Lancers aimed for a four-game sweep but it would be a tall order for them as they battle the Growling Tigers in what most likely be the finals preview of the four-day tilt that offers over half a million pesos in cash prize to the winners.