UV bags eighth CESAFI title

CEBU - The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers pulled off a hard-earned yet rewarding 73-68 victory in Game 4 over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars to win their eight Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) seniors basketball title last night at the Cebu Coliseum. The Lancers finished the series, 3-1.

The winning moment was earlier duplicated by the Baby Lancers who defeated the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 72-66, to forge a deciding Game 5 on Saturday to determine the secondary champion.

While it was Gregory Slaughter who asserted his dominance at the shaded lane by grabbing 19 rebounds, the big revelation was rookie pointguard Harold Cincoflores who scored six crucial points in the fourth quarter to keep the Lancers’ head above waters, 64-59, with still plenty of time to spare.

The Lancers actually struggled most of the way and had to work doubly hard in the final canto period just after the Jaguars tasted their last lead, 56-54, on Ranulfo Malinao’s basket.

Slaughter, chosen the Finals MVP, and Cincoflores both finished with 16 points for the Lancers. Slaughter also suffered physical defense against the Jaguars and nearly lost his temper when he was whistled for a technical when he kicked Mannie Gabas on the face.

“It was really meant for us. We are lucky this year being associated with number 8,” said CESAFI’s winnningest coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug.

Cabahug recounted that they started the day with a prayer on their fallen comrade Lucky Pitogo, who owned jersey No.8. Pitogo was shot dead by unknown killers last April 18 in his hometown in Consolacion. “We won our 8th CESAFI crown on October 8, 2008,” Cabahug added while thanking the support of the alumni and the Gullas family.

The missing link for the Jaguars was Luther Justiniani, who had another shooting woes finishing with only nine points. It was Lyndon Gudez who topscored for the Jaguars with 21 markers.

 Earlier, Arvie Cabañero scored 21 points to lead the Baby Lancers while John auditor and Glennson Ybañez had 18 and 11 points, respectively.

The University of San Carlos Wariors, meanwhile, beat the UC Webmasters via a 70-69 cliffhanger to clinch the third place trophy. The tandem of Sam Hermosa and Givanni Padillo paced the Warriors with 27 points combined.

The scores

First game

(Srs. for 3rd place)

USC (70) - Hermosa 14, Padillo 13, Rowe 8, Gallarde 8, Bautista 7, Bakker 6, Cantonao 5, Cortes 4, Joven 3, Bercede 2

UC (69) - Abella 21, Fajardo 13, Pao 11, Agas 8, Babad 5, Flanco 4, Quilantang 4, Alviva 2, Cueva 1 Halftime: 24-30

Second game:

(Jrs. championship)

UV (72) - Cabañero 21, Auditor 18, Ybañez 11, Fajardo 6, Llenes 5, Perolino 4, Felisario 3, Bonje 2

UC (66) - Pogoy 17, Pearce 12, De Lara 10, Ampoon 8, Codilla 6, Tindoy 4, Palileo 2, Castro 2, Solon 2 Halftime: 37-31

Third game

(Srs. championship)

UV (73) - Slaughter 16, Cincoflores 16, Dennison 14, Diputado 11, Lanete 8, Sendrijas 5, Lasala 2, Lao 1

USJ-R (68) - Gudez 21, Malinao 11, Justiniani 9, Ponce 9, Gabas 7, Delfino 7, Villaver 4

Halftime: 34-37 (THE FREEMAN)