Lancers pin down Jaguars for second win in CESAFI

CEBU, Philippines - Mike Harry Nzessue and Hernal "Wowie" Escocio scored huge baskets in the windup as the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers survived a spirited challenge by the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 91-80, for its second straight win in the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament last Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Lancers took a 46-33 halftime lead, but the Jaguars started strong in the third using an 11-2 run behind the hot hands of James Regalado and rookie Fletcher Galvez to pull within just four points, 44-48. The Lancers, however, retaliated with a 16-2 blast to post an 18-point advantage, 64-46, within the three minutes in that stretch.

Behind the efforts of Christian Parker, Ralph Christian Senining and his younger brother Rendell Thomas Senining, the Jaguars threatened for the last time at 72-79 with still five minutes left to play as the Lancers finally put the game away behind the five-point cushion by Escocio, a triple by Francisco Arong, Jr. and a monster slam by Nzessue.

The three triples of Venhur Villamor in the second half  also gave the Lancers a huge offensive boost  as he finished with 12 points, but it was Nzessue who topscored for UV with 18 points followed by Escocio with 15 markers.

Galvez paced  the Jaguars with 16 points, while Regalado had 15 points. Miguel Tabaloc and Rendell Senining chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, in a losing effort.

The scores

UV (91) - Nzessue 18, Escocio 15, Villamor 12, Codilla 9, Abad 8, Akmomo 7, Mendoza 6, Cabañero 6, Arong 3, Octobre 2, Perolino 2

USJ-R (80) - Galvez 16, Regalado 15, Tabaloc 11, R. Senining 10, C. Parker 9, Lajato 7, C. Senining 4, M. Parker 4, Sanchez 3, Cinco 1

Halftime: 46-33 (FREEMAN)