CEBU, Philippines - The roaring Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons pulled off a vengeful 95-89 victory over the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers in a heavyweight clash under the secondary division that kicked off the semifinal round of the 10th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Dragons, thus, avenged their 76-81 loss to the Baby Lancers and more importantly they are now on the threshold of reaching another milestone as they need only one more win to advance into the finals for the first time ever in school history.
As of this writing last night, nine-time champion UV Green Lancers were still slugging it out with the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras in collegiate level.
After emerging as elimination round topnotcher, the CEC Dragons carved more records as it was only the first time they defeated the mighty Baby Lancers. Also, it was their first semifinal victory in the 10-year-old CESAFI.
James Sumayang did the heaviest damage to the Baby Lancers as he paced the Dragons with 22 points. Although Nike Montalvo made as impact every time he is fielded in, his contribution was minimal because he was on the receiving end of UV's stifling defense.
Luckily for the Dragons, guards Benjamin James Zosa and Roy Villarias gamey rose to the occasion to cash in 17 and 11 points, respectively. Johnmar Lou Regidor netted 13 markers followed by Montalvo with 12 underscoring their balanced offensive.
The Dragons jumped off to a 7-0 start and went on to close the first half with a 47-43 edge. They only allowed the Baby Lancers to take a shortlived 35-30 lead midway in the second period.
Sumayang picked up the scoring chores in the fourth period where he made 12 points.
The Baby Lancers, who were led by the tandem of Vincent Mendoza and Gerald Legarde with 47 points combined, threatened to come back in the closing minutes of the contest but could only pull within two points, 76-78, as the Dragons played steadier down the homestretch.
Alwin Aguirre added 17 points for the Baby Lancers followed by Pete Flores with 16 spiked with three triples- all in the first half.
The scores
CEC (95) - Sumayang 22, Zosa 17, Regidor 13, Montalvo 12, Villarias 11, Bauya 8, Sypongco 8, Olayon 4
UV (89) - Mendoza 26, Legarde 21, Aguirre 17, Flores 16, Suan 7, Dela Torre 2, Undaloc 2, Ilano 2, Nuñez 2
Halftime: 47-43 (FREEMAN)