Lancers rout Warriors in fight-marred match

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers obliterated the Cebu Landmasters-University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 94-67, in their fight-marred game in the 2018 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Partner's Cup at the Cebu Coliseum yesterday.

The Lancers were headed to a smooth-sailing victory after establishing an imposing 54-22 lead at the break, which they maintained for the rest of the second half, but the lopsided match suddenly took a tension-filled twist when USC's John Reel Saycon UV's Tristan Albina figured in a heated altercation at the final 4:51 mark of the contest.

As Albina headed to their bench, Saycon laid on the floor for several minutes writhing in pain.

Moments after he got up, Saycon swiftly charged onto the UV bench by his lonesome, apparently to retaliate against Albina, but his teammates followed suit and in the process instigate what appears to be a bench-clearing incident.

Proverbial pacifists aided by the referees, however, prevailed in preventing the ugly situation from escalating into a free-for-all.

When the dust settled, both camps were spared from a 'bench-clearing' violation, but Albina and Saycon were both thrown out of the game.

Saycon will pay an even higher price for his misdemeanor as he could no longer play for the remainder of the six-week tournament.

"He's suspended for the rest of the tournament," said CESAFI Commissioner Felix "Bo" O. Tiukinhoy, Jr. who was just a few meters away when a furious Saycon attacked the UV bench.

Ironically, Saycon topscored for USC with 21 points.

UV's 6-foot-9 tower Lassina Coulibaly from Ivory Coast led all scorers with 24 points despite sitting out the entire fourth period. Rey Suerte backed him up with 16 markers.

Earlier, Justin Mondares knocked in seven 3-pointers of his 27 points and James Incio added 21 as the Hotel Fortuna-University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters outlasted the Active Casino/University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars, 73-63, to stay unbeaten in two starts. (FREEMAN)