THE University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers got their title defense off to a rousing start, as they blew away the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 74-53, in the 2019 Cesafi men’s basketball tournament on Thursday, September 12, 2019, at the Cebu Coliseum.

UV got off a horrendous start, scoring a mere six points in the first canto. With UV’s starting guards playing below par, head coach Gary Cortes tapped Gabriel Cometa and the rookie guard delivered, scoring a team-high 14 points to help carry the Green Lancers to the victory.

“I just stayed ready. I’m the third string guard so whenever our starting guards don’t play well, I have to stay ready,” said Cometa.

After leading by a scant point, 26-25, UV took full advantage of the absence of USC’s foreign student-athlete, Sommy Managor, who sat down with his fourth foul early in the third.

The Green Lancers responded with a huge 16-3 run capped off by consecutive transition baskets by Cometa that built a 49-34 lead.

UV eventually led by as much as 29 points, 72-43, and cruised to the easy win.

Jancork Cabahug also found his bearings late and finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Lass Coulibally, also saddled with foul trouble, produced a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.

USC, which evened their record up at 1-1, got 15 points and six boards from Jules Langres and 13 points and eight rebounds from Froilan Mangubat. Managor finished with just 10 points. (SunStar Cebu)