Lancers outlast Wildcats

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers fended off a last ditch rally by the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats to walk away with a 70-63 victory in the 11th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

1 pm CIT-U vs. CEC (jrs.)

2:30 pm UC vs. USC (jrs.)

4 pm UV vs. SHS-AdC (jrs.)

5:30 pm UC vs. CIT-U (srs.)

Earlier, the Baby Lancers proved too much against the smaller Baby Wildcats, 104-81 victory.

The Lancers, bidding for the second spot overall that will give them a twice-to-beat advantage, had to lean on the four consecutive points of Harold Cincoflores to ward off a possible upset axe.

The Wildcats had the lead, 56-53, on a triple by Floyd Taboada, but Cincoflores fired back four straight points as the Lancers seized the upperhand for good, 57-56. Abad made it 59-56 and from thereon, it was an all-UV show.

The bright story for the Wildcats ended when rookie Bridrick Brigoli made only three of six free throws at crunchtime. Instead of coming closer, his crucial misses allowed the Lancers to pad their lead instead.

The Lancers were led by Cincoflores with 14 points followed by Edrian Lao with 12 markers. They now sport an 8-2 win-loss record and have only two more games left against the SWU Cobtrs tomorrow and the USPF Panthers on Tuesday.

Chester Curso had a brilliant game for the Wildcats with 19 points. Allan Dimco finished with 15 points but went home on a pensive note as they fell to 1-10.

Earlier, Matthew Oche fired 23 points, 15 of them in the third period to lead the Baby Lancers, while Paul Desiderio and U-King delos Santos chipped in 27 points somcined.

Ron Marvin Dennison added 10 points as they improved their win-loss record to 14-1 and are fighting for the number one spot against the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles tonight.

Mark Kong led the 6-8 Baby Wildcats with 20 points followed by Gerald Delima with 19 points. (FREEMAN)