UV Lancers reclaim throne; Finish off Warriors to win first CESAFI cage title in 3 years

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas Green Lancers banked on a tide-turning rally late in the third period, then unleashed a steady offensive in the windup to finish off the University of San Carlos Warriors, 66-53, in Game 4 of best-of-five 16th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. collegiate basketball finals last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Lancers closed the series with a 3-1 record to claim their first title in three years and 11th overall since 2000, the most by any ballclub in league history.

"The boys really stepped up. It's their heart, they really wanted to win the championship. And I give all the credit to them, for their hard work and for playing with their hearts out when it mattered most for us," said UV coach Gary Cortes, who described his first crowning glory with the Lancers as 'heaven'.

Though he sat out the entire fourth period with a sprained ankle, sophomore guard Rey Suerte still topscored for the Lancers with 14 points.

It was his consistent play though all throughout the season that earned Suerte the coveted MVP award. He was joined in the elite Mythical Five by his teammate Jan Monic Soliva and Jaybee Mantilla of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, Mark Jayven Tallo of Southwestern University-Phinma and Condrad Catapusan of USC.

"I'm proud and happy that we are able to achieve our goal this season and that is no other than to win the title championshhip. It veered away from us last year and now it's finally in our hands. This means a lot for us. Winning the MVP trophy is just a bonus for me," said Suerte.

Their triumph wasn't served on a silver platter sa the Lancers had to rebuff a spirited challenge by the Warriors, who were even poised to forge a rubbermatch after taking an eight-point lead, 26-18, early in the second period.

The Warriors, however, were on top for the last time at 43-42 as Alfred Codilla, Jayson Balabag and Sheldon Gahi launched a 10-0 attack to seize full control of the match with a 52-43 edge at the final 9:08 mark of the contest.

The Warriors failed to recover from that knocking blow by the Lancers, who went on to enjoy double-digit leads several times, including at 61-50 with a little over two minutes left to play.

After Kevin Oleodo knocked in a 3-pointer that turned out to be USC's last shot of the season, Liberian import Bassieru Sackor scored on awkward leaning jumper that went in off the glass then Codilla went 3-of-4 from the foul line to ice the match for the Lancers.

It was somehow a sweet redemption of sort for the Lancers, who were outlasted by the Warriors, then coached by Britt Carlo Reroma, during their epic best-of-five finals showdown that went down-the-wire last year. (FREEMAN)