UV Lancers barge into win column with 29-point blowout of UP Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Reigning four-peat champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers pummeled the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons, 94-65, for their breakthrough win in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament on Sunday, September 13, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Raul Gentallan fired 25 points with three rebounds, six assists and four steals while Kent Ivo Salarda added 14 points, three boards and a steal as the Lancers swiftly recovered from a stinging 68-81 loss to the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in their season-opening assignment last August 30.

AJ Sacayan chipped in 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks while John Paul Bautista contributed 11 points for the Lancers, who unleashed an explosive second-half offensive to thrash the Fighting Maroons by 29 points.

The Lancers led only by a hairline at halftime, 45-44,  but dropped a devastating 26-9 bomb in the third period to establish a commanding 71-53 lead, which peaked at 31 points in the closing minutes.

Raul Gilbuena was the lone double-digit scorer with 13 points for the Fighting Maroons, who slumped to a third successive defeat.

In the other collegiate duel, Jhoernel Tangkay delivered an all-around performance with 25 points, six rebounds,  two assists, six steals and blocked two shots to propel the USC Warriors to a 77-63 spanking of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers.

The Warriors trailed by two, 53-55, after three quarters but launched a fierce 24-8 assault at the endgame to turn the tables on the Panthers.

James Tawacal charted 12 points and seven rebounds while Rey James Enriquez and  James Paolo Gica each scored 10 as the Warriors improved to 2-1.

Peter John Peteros finished with 18 points while Lloyd Amadeo Gutang had 13 points for the Panthers, who fell to 1-2.

In the juniors division, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguar Cubs annihilated the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, 73-44, in a battle of unbeaten teams.

Japhet Sedrome and John Gregory Carecosa combined for 28 points, nine rebounds, three assists and five steals for the dominant Jaguar Cubs, who surged ahead by 33 points on one occasion.

Jhun Miguel Telmo tallied 11 markers, four rebounds and two steals as the Jaguar Cubs stretched their perfect start  to 3-0.

Cedric de la Rosa posted an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double with three assists and six steals but to no avail as the Dragons came  crashing down back to earth after posting back-to-back wins.

In the other result, Mark Ivan Geraldez unloaded 15 points, two rebounds, three assists and four steals as the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Junior Wildcats trounced the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters, 79-65, for their first victory of the season.

Vincent Zamora and Theo Maxim Santiago chalked up 13 points apiece while Geoffe Vhon Partosa filled the stat sheet with 11 points, five rebounds, six assists and four steals for the Junior Wildcats, who led at one point by 34 points that sent the Junior Webmasters reeling the rest of the way. — (FREEMAN)