Lancers outlast Webmasters in CESAFI hoops

CEBU, Philippines — The four-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers banked on an explosive second-half performance to outclass the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 80-65, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament Sunday night, September 27, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Kent Ivo Salarda fired 21 points with six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block, while 2024 MVP Raul Gentallan added 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block as the Lancers joined the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors and Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs at the top of college division standings with identical 4-1 win-loss cards.

Albert John Sacayan contributed 14 points,  two rebounds and two steals for the Lancers, who pulled away after a 38-all deadlock at halftime and led by 11 points, 63-52, after three quarters, before breezing into a convincing 15-point win.

Ray Charles Libatog paced UC with 19 points and seven rebounds. Luther Leonard finished with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Joie Perino had 10 points and four rebounds but to no avail as the Webmasters fell to 4-2.

In the other collegiate matchup, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars evened their record at 3-3 after beating the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers in overtime, 62-59.

John Onin Nonay led the Jaguars with 12 points and three rebounds. Alcher Obra contributed 10 points and eight rebounds, while Kenneth Calvin Cole also tallied 10 points with two rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Peter John Peteros came up with 18 points, two rebounds, five assists and three steals, while LyBron James Lamo cashed in 13 points, four rebounds and four assists for the Panthers, who tailspun to 1-5.

In the juniors division, Marky Mitch Goc-ong sizzled with 23 points on top of seven rebounds, four assists and three steals‎ as the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) stretched its perfect start to 4-0 with a 60-43 rout of the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons.

Jade Bialan recorded a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds with four blocks as the UC Junior Webmasters improved to 4-1 with a 102-44 blowout of the winless PAREF Springdale Titans. — (FREEMAN)