UV overcomes SCSIT scare in VAAA hoop tourney

Seven-time CESAFI champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers squandered a 23-point lead but played cool under heavy fire to repulse the upset-seeking Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Skyblazers, 104-94, the other night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Thus, the UV Green Lancers joined idle Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras atop the leaderboard of the 2nd Visayas Amateur Athletic Association (VAAA) men’s basketball tournament with similar clean 6-0 slates.

The Green Lancers of coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug appeared to be headed for a one-sided demolition of the Skyblazers when they mounted a commanding 57-34 lead with 1:48 to go before halftime.

The Lancers smoothly maintained a double-digit advantage for most part of the final half until they sailed on rough waters brought by SCSIT’s courageous fight-back that started off when Gilbert Violango completed a rare four-point play to pull the Skyblazers within 81-90 with leff than four minure left to play.

As the Lancers couldn’t get their offense going, the Skyblazers, inspired by the presence of team owner Enrg. Doroteo M. Salazar who acted as their chief cheerleader at the ringside, came up with bigtime plays to further close in at 94-99 on Benjie Calma’s 3-pointer with 1:43 to go.

The big-hearted Skyblazers could have gotten closer, but Accel Rabaya missed a wide-open, but leaning jumper with less than a minute remaining in the game. Had Rabaya made the shot, it could have turned the tide in SCSIT’s favor.

Boniber Sendrijas then doused cold water on SCSIT’s fierce attack by converting  a basket to push UV ahead, 101-94. Seconds later, Ritchum Dennison darted in a long triple to settle the final outcome.SCSIT led only once in the game, 5-2, on a triple by Violango with just two minutes gone by after the opening tip-off. UV never looked back after wresting the driver’s seat, 8-7, on a three-point play by Sylvester Tancongco.

6-foot-11 Fil-Am Gregory Fuentes-Slaughter, who easily ate up the defense of the smaller SCSIT players, topscored for the Lancers with 18 points. His crucial free throws in the closing minutes of the game helped UV dodge from the upset arrow about to be launched by the Skyblazers.

Dennison had 14 points for the Lancers followed by Lanete with 11. Eulogio Lasala and Lao banged in 10 markers each.

Calma topscored SCSIT with 26 points followed by Violango with 13. Jeffrey Tampus and Arman Serna each had 12 points but their efforts went for naught as they slumped to 1-4.

The scores

UV (104) - Slaughter 18, Dennison 14, Lanete 11, Lasala 10, Lao 10, Calo 9, Diputado 7,  Arda 5, Tancongco 5, Luga 4, Sendrijas 4, Villanil 4, Mepaña 3

SCSIT (94) - Calma 26, Violango 13, J. Tampus 12, Serna 12, JP Tampus 6, Jabadan 4, Ong 4, Amarado 3, Aribal 3, Rabaya 3, Tajanlangit 2 — EBV