Lancers score double anew

The University of the Visayas Green Lancers rode on the heroics of sophomore guard Kim Calo, whose seven straight points in the final five minutes of the fourth period proved to be the turning point in their 80-68 hard-earned victory over the University of San Jose Recoletos Jaguars in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball event Thursday night at the Compostela municipal gym.

The Baby Lancers, on the other hand, only exerted little effort in their 76-46 demolition of the Baby Jaguars to snap their two-game losing skid and grabbed second place with a 6-3 win-loss record.

The Jaguars, who won by forfeiture over the UC Webmasters last Sunday, went on to lose the lead right at the start of the fourth period and the best they could muster was to tie the count at 59-all on Jaime Buena's jumper. They led the unbeaten Lancers in all three quarters, 17-14; 35-31 and 57-55.

As Ariel Mepaña gave back the led to UV, Calo then scored seven straight points as they quickly erected their biggest lead at nine points, 70-61.

Calo, who hails from Compostela, finished with nine points even as Mark Ababon topscored for the Lancers with 14 points.

Mepaña and Jaysar Esperat scored identical 13 points for the Lancers while Jayford Rodriguez, who was fielded only in the third period, finished with 11 points.

Jaguar rookie guard Armand Ponce led the offense with 19 points while Luther Justiniani had 14 points.

The Lancers, who improved their CESAFI winning record to 53 in-a-row, now have a 7-0 win-loss card while the Jaguars fell to 2-6.

Meanwhile, the Baby Lancers held a virtual clinic against the Baby Jaguars, limiting their smaller rivals to a CESAFI record low of only six points in the first period, 26-6 lead.

Phil Mercader, Patrick Avila and Edelito Cabahug, Jr. finished in double figures for UV. Mercader had 15, Avila with 14 and Cabahug with 13 while Aniceto Lapiz, Jr. and Renato Abing led the Baby Jaguars with 20 and 14 points, respectively.

The Baby Lancers toted a 6-3 record while the Baby Jaguars lost all their 10 assignments with only two more games left to hopefully prevent a 0-12 blackout.

Meanwhile, CIT's win by forfeiture over USC in Compostela, improved its record to 2-5 just one game ahead of USJR with 2-6.

The game between CIT and USJR on Sunday at the USC gym is considered a knockout game but the Wildcats need the win more than the Jaguars to bolster their semifinal chances.

The scores

First Game (Juniors)

UV (76) - Mercader 15, P. Avila 14, Cabahug 13, Hueruela 9, Pitogo 8, Fuentes 4, Gonzaga 3, Belocura 2, Camay 2, Cañada 2, V. Avila 2

USJR (46) - Lapiz 20, Abing 14, Andoy 5, Yballe 4, Cabanes 2, Alasa-as 1 Halftime: 41-13

Second Game (Seniors)

CIT (20) - winner by forefeiture over USC (Coll.)

Third Game

UV (80) - Ababon 14, Mepaña 13, Esperat 13, Rodriguez 11, Calo 9, Sevilla 6, Tacaldo 6, Berame 4, Abelong 2, Arda 2

USJR (68) - Ponce 19, Justiniani 14, Malinao 13, Pogoy 6, Arpay 6, Arellano 5, Buena 5, Gudez 4, Hatague 3, Villahermosa 2, Maconocido 2 Halftime: 31-35