THE University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers tightened their grip of first place in the standings with a 102-82 beatdown of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers in the 2019 Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

UV broke away during a tempestuous third period stretch that saw tempers flare between two teams.

In all, a total of six unsportsmanlike fouls and five technical fouls were called during the period. UV’s Gileant Delator and Jiesel Tarrosa also got ejected during a commotion with 2:15 in the third.

Beyond the extra-curricular activities, the Green Lancers took advantage of their height advantage and their outside sniping with foreign student- athlete Lass Coulibally lording over the shaded lane and Froiland Maglasang hitting three triples to turn a slim 42-37 lead into a comfortable 78-61 advantage heading to the final canto.

The Green Lancers then scored the first seven points of the fourth to further bury the Panthers and eventually come away with their fifth win in six games.

Seven different players scored in double-figures for UV led by Maglasang’s 15 points. Melvin Butohan added 14, Sheldon Gahi put up 12, Jancork Cabahug and Michael Maestre had 11 markers each, while Saga and Coulibally fired in 10 points apiece.

USPF ended the first round with an even 3-3 card. (SunStar Cebu)