CEBU, Philippines — The defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers routed the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Mustangs, 89-57, to stretch their perfect record to 8-0 in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 23 Men's Basketball Tournament on Sunday, November 19, at the Cebu Coliseum.
Regardless of the outcome of their last two assignments against the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, the Lancers are already assured of a top two spot and a twice-to-beat incentive in the highly anticipated Final Four.
From a 41-27 edge at the bend, the Lancers greeted the third period with eight straight points to further rip the game apart with a 49-27 advantage. They kept on spewing fire to extend their lead to as high as 35 points, 89-54, in the final 44 seconds.
Kent Ivo Salarda fired 22 points, Froilan Maglasang scored 13, while AJ Sacayan and Jimpaul Amistoso chipped in 10 markers apiece as the Lancers inched closer towards completing a 10-game elimination round sweep.
In the other collegiate duel, Bryle Puntual cashed in 18 points and James Gica added 11 markers as the USC Warriors outgunned league newcomers Benedicto College Cheetahs, 50-41, to remain in contention for the Final Four race with a 5-4 win-loss card.
In the juniors division, Geo Rey Lumagod sizzled with 25 points, while Arnold Minoza and Revo Lao connived for 34 markers as the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) overcame the gritty Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Baby Wildcats, 82-77, to assure themselves of a historic first ever trip to the semifinals with an 8-1 mark.
The biggest story of the day, however, came from the UC Baby Webmasters, who staged a spectacular comeback from 15 points down late in the game to upset the City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy (CBSAA) Trailblazers, 58-55.
Trailing 37-52 in the last six minutes of play, Lourdonie Cuyos and Gemini Abellana Jr. masterminded UC's big turnound, combining for 15 points as the Baby Webmasters pummeled the Trailblazers in the final period, 21-4, that keyed their great escape.
The Baby Webmasters, thus, created a triple tie with the UV Baby Lancers and the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons with identical 6-3 slates in a tight race for the fourth and last semis spot. — (FREEMAN)