Lancers forge KO match

(Magis Eagles cruise into CESAFI junior division finals) 

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers unleashed a fierce third-quarter offensive to send the twice-to-beat Univerity of Cebu (UC) Webmasters tumbling down, 81-62, and forge a rubbematch against their two-time tormentors in the 19th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum last night.

All-Star MVP Raul Jancork Cabahug cashed in 17 points while rookie playmaker dished out a breakout performance of 16 points to help the Lancers live and fight for another day.

They will face the Webmasters anew in a sudden-death duel this Saturday, November 16, with the winner earning the right to face the already waiting Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras in the best-of-three finals starting on Monday, November 18.

The Webmasters were still in the thick of the fight at the last five-minute mark of the third period when they trailed by only two, 42-44, but that proved to be their last stand as Cometa, Cabahug, Jan Monic Soliva, Jesiel Tarrosa and Sheldon Gahi masterminded a devastating 27-7 rally that vaulted the Lancers to an imposing 69-49 lead with 8:41 left to play.

The Webmasters couldn’t get any closer than 15 points as the Lancers safely careened to a 19-round rout.

UV’s foreign student-athlete Lass Coulibally also made his presence with 14 points, while Gahi contributed 11 markers for the Lancers.

In the juniors division, it was a completely different story as UV’s younger counterparts kissed their title campaign goodbye.

This after the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-Adc) Magis Eagles finished off   the Baby Lancers, 48-41, to barge into the championship round.

The Magis Eagles held the Baby Lancers scoreless in the final 2:24 mark of the contest to return to the finals for the first time since 2017.

After Albert Sacayan darted a 3-pointer to push UV on top, 41-38, Reymark Narbasa made back-to-back hits before LA Casinillo went 4-of-4 and Mike Boniel sank 2-of-4 from the foul line in a game-closing 10-0 burst that sealed the deal for the Magis Eagles.