Lancers repeat as champs

UV knocks UC out in deciding Game 3 to claim 12th CESAFI title

CEBU, Philippines — Rey Anthony Suerte delivered an MVP-like performance as the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers flattened the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 69-56, in the deciding match of their best-of-three finals series to successfully defend their throne in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI)  collegiate basketball last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

When the Lancers needed a spark, Suerte became their brightest light, churning out 20 points on an 8-of-17 shooting from the field. He also passed out five assists, pulled down four rebounds and picked up four steals as UV snatched its 12th title since the league’s inception 17 years ago.

Also, the Lancers basked in double championship glory for the first time since 2007 and sixth overall. The Baby Lancers earlier dethroned four-time champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles to snare the juniors division crown undefeated in 11 games.

The Lancers’ ascension into seventh heaven was so special that it reduced their head coach Gary Cortes to tears.

“I just missed having an emotion liked this,” said Cortes in slight jest. ‘It’s been a long time since I cried this hard. I really can’t describe my feelings. I have mixed emotions that I can’t explain. I’m really at a loss for words right now. ”

“Honestly, I am very much worried that we might lose this game. I would just like to thank my players for responding well to the adjustments we made especially on defense. I take off my hat to them for fighting with a big heart and strong will to achieve our goal of winning back-to-back championships,” said Cortes, who bagged his second title in just three seasons with the Lancers.

UV Lancers head coach Gary Cortes get a traditional victory ride from his jubilant players moments after they retained their collegiate basketball crown last night at the Cebu Coliseum. PAUL JUN E. ROSAROSO

Jan Monic Soliva was the only other double-digit scorer for the Lancers with 10 points and three rebounds.

Liberian import Bassieru Sackor and Jerome Napao scored only nine points each but were accounted for 22 of UV’s 38 rebounds.

Sharp-shooting guards Josue Segumpan and Tristan Albina also figured prominently with 15 combined points for the Lancers,  who seemingly forced the Webmasters to wave the flag of surrender after mounting a 14-point advantage with only 3:18 left to play.

Justine Dacalos erupted for 23 points on an 8-of-13 sniping spiked with four 3-pointers. He canned three consecutive triples of his 12 points in the third quarter to help the Webmasters rally from 15 points down, 15-30, and pull within just two points, 46-48.

But the Webmasters looked helpless with their 6-foot-8 Cameroonian import Frederick Elombi turning himself into a monumental bust when he was needed most.

Locked up inside the freezer for most of the 40-minute skirmish,  Elombi did not score until he split his charities with 8:28 left to play.

Two minutes later, Elombi scored two more free throws to vault his side closer, 51-56, but that proved to be their last gasp of breath as the Lancers threw a solid 8-0 punch to wobble the Webmasters , 64-51, with 4:27 to go.

Elombi finished with only three points although he was visible in other departments with 11 rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks in an all-round effort that went for naught.

After a twin gift shots by Dacalos, Suerte dropped a booming trey to stamp the Lancers’ victory with an insurmountable 67-53 edge with only 3:18 remaining in the game.

The Webmasters threw in the towel after that, with UC coach Raul ‘Yayoy’ Alcoseba walking towards the UV bench to congratulate their foes even if there was still plenty of seconds left in the gameclock.

“Defense keyed our win. During our practice, we applied the 2-3 zone but all of a sudden coach Gary (Cortes) changed our mode of defense to 1-3-1. The entire team knew nothing about it because he only announced it minutes before the game. It was a gamble that worked wonders for us,” said Lancers talent scout and assistant coach Van Halen Parmis. (FREEMAN)