Abad, Lao tow UV to victory

CEBU, Philippines - Playmaker John Michael Abad and big man Edrian Lao sparked a fourth-quarter uprising to rally the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers to a 68-54 shellacking of the University of Southern Philippines (USPF) Panthers in the 11th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball last Tuesday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today (Cebu Coliseum)

5:15 pm CIT-U vs. UV (jrs.)

6:45 pm CIT-U vs. SWU (srs.)

Earlier, the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors escaped with a 54-52 victory over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars.

In the secondary matches, defending champion Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons swallowed the hapless USJ-R Baby Jaguars, 86-64, while the USPF Baby Panthers defeated the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildkittens, 89-85.

The Lancers finished the first round in a tie with the Warriors with 4-2 win-loss records but they occupied the second spot by virtue of a simple tie.

Abad scored most of his 19 points in the fourth period where the stubborn Panthers kept on coming back, while Lao backed him up with 13 points.

Four USPF players dished out twin figures led by lanky rookie Jomari Sollano with 13 points.

Meanwhile, Sam Hermosa fired 16 points for the Warriors, whose four-point lead, 54-48, in the final one minute sealed the victory for them.

Jason Olbedado paced the 1-5 Jaguars with 15 points.

The scores

First game

USPF (89) - Bolivar 33, Diapera 31, Cando 8, Gairanod 7, Villarta 6, Cabungcal 2, Remedio 2

CIT-U (85) - Otadoy 28, Delima 20, Kong 14, Eboña 8, Pareja 8, Laguna 3, Lucero 2

Second game

CEC (86) - Sumayang 19, Bauya 17, Sedillo 10, Roxas 10, Huevos 8, Balangkig 5, Zosa 5, Villaroza 4, Yap 4, Berdera 2, Bracero 2

Third game

UV (68) - Abad 19, Lao 13, Perolino 12, Cincoflores 7, Silva 6, Silva 6, Saycon 6, Mercader 4, Rios 2, Avillanoza 2, Oktubre 2, Cabañero 1

USPF (54) - Sollano 13, J. Ferraren 12, Avila 11, Dajalos 10,Sedurifa 6, Fuentes 2

Fourth game

USC (54) - Hermosa 16, Cortes 111, Cantonao 8, Bautista 7, Panerio 3, Magat 3, Duran 2, Padillo 2, Otida 2

USJ-R (52) - Olbedado 15, Suliman 12, Tabaloc 11, Nudalo 7, Dela Rama 2, Capillar 2, Lajato 1. - THE FREEMAN