Friday, September 21, 2007 Baby Lancers survive USJ-R, 76-72
THE University of the Visayas Baby Green Lancers saved themselves from a mighty bashing when they fended off the gritty University of San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars, 76-72, to save the final semifinals slot of the juniors basketball of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc last Wednesday at the University of San Carlos gym.
After losing to the Jaguars in their first quarterfinal match-up, the Lancers were determined to take this game. Down by almost 10 points in the first half, UV unleashed a furious third quarter run to take over and eventually win the game.
The Green Lancers had to fend off the Jaguars who were wrecking havoc in the first two periods and were leading by as much as 10, before losing steam in the third canto.
By this time, the Baby Lancers, all refreshed and rested from the half time break, got back on track and blasted off with a 15-4 run behind the gallant efforts of Eugene Viagedor and Junnard Premacio to turn the game around for good, 37-34.
It was at that point that the Jaguars found itself on the wrong end of a come-from-behind win as they trailed until the end.
They, however, never backed down without a fight even forcing the Lancers to a deadlock thrice before the quarter ended.
In the payoff period, the Baby Lancers lifted off as Premacio and Aldwin Felisario literally took turns in barraging the basket converting points every chance they got.
Premacio and Felisario combined for 17 points in the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter for UV to lead, 68-64 in the 2:01 mark.
Grit
The Jaguars showed their grit, never allowing the Lancers to get ahead by as much as five points and closed in 70-72, behind Xyl Ponsica, Clint Muñez and Jaime Regalado.
US-R had a chance to extend the game to overtime when Ponsica intercepted the ball with less than 20 seconds left. He, however, failed to covert it.
UV’s John Abad then scored four straight points to seal the game’s outcome, formalizing the team’s entry to the semifinal round.
Premacio topscored for UV with 21 points, while John Auditor and Felisario added 11 each.
UV, last year’s runnerup, is up for a tall order as it will be taking on the top-ranked USC Baby Warriors.
USC earned a sweatless entry to the semis after coming out on top of the eight-team field in the elimination round.
