Lancers win in opener

CEBU, Philippines - Six-foot-11 center Gregory Slaughter raked in 21 points to power defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers to an 88-73 disposition of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in the opener of their best-of-three semifinal series in the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

1 pm USJ-R vs. UC (Jrs.)

2:30 pm CIT vs. UV (Jrs.)

4 pm USC vs. UC (Srs.)

5:30 pm USJ-R vs. UV (Srs.)

Equipped with a fully-loaded arsenal, the Lancers had the luxury of pulling away even when Slaughter was rested because moments after the Jaguars pulled within two points, 48-50, they easily unleashed a sizzling 16-5 blast to mount a 15-point edge, 66-51.The Jaguars made another attempt to chop the deficit in the fourth period, but the best they could muster was to close in at six points, 64-70, with 6:22 left to play.

After a few exchange of possession, Chris Victor Diputado hit a triple to put the Lancers safely ahead, 84-68, heading into the final 2:24 mark of the contest.

Slaughter’s job was further made easier with the able assistance of Diputado, Ritchum Dennison and Phil Mercader, who put the icing on the Lancers’ victory cake.

The Lancers need only one more win against the Jaguars tonight to proceed into the championship round where they will meet either the topseed University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters or the fourth-ranked University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors.

The Jaguars, who lost big man Abulaiz Suliman due to suspension, were led by Edwin Bibera with 26 followed by Aniceto Lapiz, Jr. with 12.

The Lancers seemed to have no problem at all despite the suspension of Junjun Lasala. Both Suliman and Lasala were banned for the rest of the season for not showing up in the Slam Dunk contest during last Sunday’s All-Star Games.

The scores

UV (88) - Slaughter 21, Diputado 21, Dennison 9, Silva 7, Mercader 6, Quintana 6, Cabahug 5, Manigque 4, Cincoflores 4, Olivares 2

USJ-R (73) Bibera 26, Lapiz 12, Pateño 8, Amores 7, Villaver 7, Dela Rama 4, Nudalo 4, Dela Peña 2, Alquizola 2, Duran 1

Halftime: 47-40    (FREEMAN NEWS)