Lancers, Panthers eye finals berths;Trailblazers, Magis Eagles set up title clash

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers will try to book a finals ticket as they tackle separate foes in the Final Four of the 2022 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Both enjoying twice-to-beat incentives, the top seeded Lancers and the second-ranked Panthers need only one win to terminate their rivals and set up a championship showdown for the coveted college division crown.

That’s the order of business of the Lancers as they take on the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in the 5:15 p.m. opener, in the same way with the Panthers as they tangle with the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters in the main game at 6:45 pm.

The Lancers and Panthers must be extra careful though as their rivals will surely wage one big war hoping to live and fight for another day.

Meanwhile, the undefeated City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy (CBSAA) Trailblazers and the defending champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles knocked out their respective opponents to arrange a dream finals match in the juniors division.

  The sharp-shooting Dale Otero sank five 3-pointers of his 21 points while Lance Sabroso and Jerome Arnoiz had 24 combined points as the Trailblazers delivered the axe to the UV Baby Lancers, 67-63.

On the other hand, spunky guard Jared Bahay fired 21 points while the vaunted triumvirate of Jelomar Rota, Michael Asoro and Alden Cainglet connived for 36 points as the Magis Eagles finished off the UC Baby Webmasters, 83-78, to keep their title retention bid in motion.

The Trailblazers and the Magis Eagles will begin their best-of-three finals series on Sunday, December 11.