FOR the third consecutive year, the multi-titled University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers will meet perennial rival University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters in the best-of-three finals of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament.
This, after the Lancers devastated the gritty Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs in their semifinal match, 76-50, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Lancers narrowly defeated the Cheetahs in the elimination round, 71-68, last Nov. 8, but this time, they showed no mercy to Benedicto College, one of the two expansion teams in the collegiate division.
The Cheetahs put up a strong fight in the first half, trailing by just one point 39-40, but their troubles began in the third quarter when the Lancers switched to a match-up defense and started pulling away.
UV held Benedicto College to only 10 points in the third canto, where the Lancers erected a 65-49 advantage.
Ivan Clark Alsola delivered the much needed points for the Lancers in the second half. He led all scorers with 16 markers and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Supporting him in the scoring binge was Jim Paul Amistoso, who added 11 notches including nine from the rainbow territory.
For the Cheetahs, Serge Gabines scored 15 points, while Derrick Orgong chipped in 12.
Physical defense
Reaping the wonders of their physical defense, the Lancers converted 30 points off turnovers. They also dominated the boards, 45-36.
The Webmasters clinched the first finals berth by ousting the University of San Jose - Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars last Thursday, Nov. 28.
UC has yet to win the title after losing twice to the Lancers in their previous championship showdowns.
However, this season the Webmasters appear to be more determined to win the title when they swept all their games in the eliminations for a 9-0 finish.
“Well, they (Webmasters) are undefeated in the elimination and semifinal rounds. So they are prepared well. But we are also preparing for this matchup. May the best team win,” UV head coach Gary Cortes said in a post-game interview.
Game 1 of the final series will be played on Dec. 5 (Thursday).
Meanwhile, the Sacred Heart School - Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles served notice of their strong title-retention bid when they defeated the Baby Lancers in a close battle, 79-76, in the high school division.
The Baby Lancers dictated the tempo of the game for more than three quarters, but everything changed in the last five minutes when they started committing several lapses and turnovers.
“We were doing good in the first three quarters, but I don’t know what happened to our boys. We were hobbled with turnovers in the last five minutes,” UV coach Ronald Bucao said.
The Magis Eagles will face the USJ-R Baby Jaguars in the best-of-three finals which will start on Dec. 4 (Wednesday).
“To be honest I really have a lot of respect for USJ-R, even during the time of coach Edito Salacut. They always had our number,” said Magis Eagles coach Rommel Rasmo. “I’m excited for this series.”
In 2019, the Magis Eagles met the Baby Jaguars in the finals. That was the time when Edito Salacut was the Baby Jaguars coach. / JBM