Lancers trounce West Negros in Coke PBA Visayas finals

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu champion Team Lancers stormed over Bacolod champ West Negros University, 96-75, to kick off its campaign in the Coca Cola PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament Visayas Regional Finals at the Capitol Parish Gym yesterday.

Theo Joshua Flores wreaked havoc inside and out, scattering a game high 26 points to lead the Lancers in defense of their  2012 title. The Lancers started out cold, taking only a 27-22 lead after one quarter and a 50-41 lead at halftime.

The Lancers then ripped the game apart in the third quarter with Flores and Dexter Silorio combining for 17 third quarter points for a commanding 72-56 lead. WNU was limited to 15 points in that stretch. It was a simple case of the Lancers forcing their way for points inside the paint through weak side cuts and drop passes with Flores and Silorio as main beneficiaries.

WNU rallied but couldn’t get any headway in the payoff period, getting as close as 13 points before being turned away by the Lancers defense.

Orlan Wamar had 18 points, while Silorio and Jun Manzo added 17 and 16 points respectively, to lead the Lancers.  John Lemuel Pastias led WNU with 25 points followed by Jason Celis witrh 15.

Later in the day, WNU was to face Iloilo champion Ateneo de Iloilo to stay in contention for the lone Visayas berth to the national finals. The Lancers play Ateneo de Iloilo today, looking for a second straight trip to Manila.  (FREEMAN)