UV Lancers draw first blood

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Visayas (UV) high school and college ballclubs both rode on a fierce offensive in the first half to outlast their respective rivals and move into the threshold of a double championship in the 2018 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Partner's Cup last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

In the collegiate division, team captain Josue Segumpan chalked up 22 points and spitfire guard Sheldon Gahi banged in 14 markers as the UV Lancers blasted the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 78-60, to draw first blood in their best-of-three title series.

The Lancers came up with an resounding victory despite playing with an all-local crew since 6-foot-8 import Lassina Coulibaly from Ivory Coast was carried out of the court with a dislocated right knee with three minutes left in the opening session.

After racing to an early 26-18 edge, the Lancers staged a crippling 16-2 run to blow up their lead to 22 points, 42-20, with 3:35 left in the second quarter.

The Webmasters couldn't get any closer than 11 points as the Lancers stayed firmly in control, churning out eight straight points  in the final three-minute mark en route to an 18-point romp.

Gileant Delator and Michael Maestre contributed 10 points each for the Lancers.

Justine Dacalos finished with 19 points and John Calvin Jabello scored 15 for the Webmasters, who shot poorly even on their close-range attempts resulting to their downfall.

Like their big brothers, the Baby Lancers also relied on a blistering attack in the first two quarters to subdue the Organique California-University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 68-59, to vault themselves on the brink of the juniors crown.

Mar Leandro Actub unloaded 24 points and Joshua Yerro added 14 markers for the Baby Lancers, who were in full command after getting off to a flying 19-4 start.

Albert Sacayan, Beirn Anthony Laurente and Samuel Melicor opened the second period with three consecutive 3-pointers, then Actub scored seven straight points capped by a spectacular breakaway dunk that handed the Baby Lancers an imposing 26-point bulge, 32-6.

After the halftime break, the Baby Panthers showed some fighting form anchored on a 9-0 blitz to close within 25-36 but that was the best they could muster as the Baby Lancers went back to usual business to reinstall a commanding 65-44 lead with only 5:24 left to play.

Meanwhile, in the twin battles for third place, the USPF Panthers pulled off a 65-64 cliffhanger over the Casino Active-University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, while the Baby Jaguars outlasted the Hotel Fortuna-University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters, 81-73. (FREEMAN)