CEBU - Six-foot-11 Gregory Slaughter showed what it takes to be an All-Star MVP as he powered seven-time champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers to a vengeful 88-76 victory over the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in Game 1 of the best-of-three 8th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball semifinals witnessed by a mammoth crowd last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Games on Tuesday
(Cebu Coliseum)
5:15 pm UC vs. CIT
6:45 UC vs. USJR
Slaughter ate up the Warriors’ defense at will, imposing his hulking presence at the post with finesse to chart 31 points he punctuated with a thunder slam in the final 3:13 of the contest.
The Lancers though went through some scary moments as the Warriors clawed back from a 14-point deficit, 30-44, early in the third period to forge a 62-all deadlock on John Emel Rowe’s basketball. Joven Cid Cortes scored all his 12 points in that searing run that somehow sent shivers down UV’s spines for a moment.
Bonifer Sendrijas broke the deadlock with an undergoal stab to put back UV in front, 64-62, for good.
Coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug refused to issue any prognosis whether they are going up for a two-game sweep next Sunday. “Lisod uy. Ang duwa gud may momentum man na so dili pa gyud nato hibaw-an,” he said.
When asked why they squandered a 14-point lead, Cabahug said the Warriors rallied when Slaughter was on the bench.
On top of Slaughter’s sterling performance, Ritchum Dennison and Chris Victor Diputado provided ample support with 11 points apice.
The Warrriors had four players in double figures led by Giovanni Padillo with 14 points.
It was another twinkill for UV as defending champion Baby Lancers earlier thumped the stubborn University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 82-78, to again a 1-0 upperhand in their own race-to-2 series.
An upset was brewing up when the Baby Panthers, who trailed all the way, grabbed the driver’s seat , 76-75, on James Ferraren’s basket, with 1:03 left to play.
Arvie Cabañero, however, came to UV’s rescue by scoring on a put-back with 44.8 seconds to go in the game. As the Baby Panthers stayed on the freezer, John Michael Auditor to give the Baby Lancers amn 80-76 breather with 24 ticks left before the final buzzer.
Cabañero topscored the Baby Lancers with 26 points, while Auditor chipped in 21 markers. Ferraren paced the Baby Panthers with 22 points followed by Peter Cañete with 14.
The scores:
Juniors
UV (82) - Cabañero 26, Auditor 21, Fajardo 12, Marata 6, Ybañez 5, Llenes 5, Valiente 4, Bonje 2
USPF (78) - Ferraren 22, Cañete 14, Batucan 10, Demana 8, Nudalo 7, Labares 6, Caguindagan 5, Arong 4, Silao 2 Halftime: 44-37
Seniors
UV (88) - Slaughter 31, Dennison 11, Diputado 11, Lanete 7, Mercader 7, Sendrijas 7, Villanil 6, Lasala 3, Lao 2, Cincoflores 2
USC (76) - Padillo 14, Gallarde 13, Hermosa 12, Cortes 12, Joven 7, Bakker 6, Cantonao 6, Rowe 4, Igao 2 Halftime 40-30 (THE FREEMAN)