Lancers gun for second win

CEBU, Philippines — Two-time defending Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers train their sights on back-to-back wins when they go up against the Active Casino-backed University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in the 2018 CESAFI Partner's Cup today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Game time is set at 6:45 p.m., right after the Baby Lancers and the Baby Jaguars will try to break the 1-1 tie that binds them in the 5:15 p.m. opener.

The Lancers are coming off a masterful 94-67 demolition of the Cebu Landmasters-University of San Carlos Warriors during their fight-marred game last Sunday that resulted into a near free-for-all and the ejection of USC's John Reel Saycon and UV's Tristan Albina.

With the victory already in UV's pocket, Saycon and 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.

Saycon paid a heavy price for his unsportsmanlike behavior as he is suspended by CESAFI commissioner Felix 'Boy' O. Tiukinhoy, Jr. for the rest of the six-week tournament.

Albina, on the other hand, was meted with a one-game suspension and P5,000 fine. The Dumagueteño sharpshooter must also render a four-hour community service under the supervision of the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) before he will be allowed to play again.

Sans Albina tonight, the Lancers are still a lethal force owing to their plethora of talents that became more frightening with the presence of 6-foot-9 skyscraper Lassina Coulibaly. The behemoth from Ivory Coast dropped 24 points in his UV debut despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter.

The manner by which UV easily dismantled USC is something that USJ-R must ponder upon considering that the Jaguars suffered their first loss at the hands of the Warriors. (FREEMAN)