CEBU, Philippines - The Worthy-backed University of the Visayas Green Lancers will go for clincher, while Mighty Sports/University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars fight for dear life as they clash anew in Game 2 of the best-of-three 8th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Partner's Cup finals today at the Cebu Coliseum.
Game time is set at 5:15 p.m.
The Gary Cortes-mentored Lancers need only one more win to claim the championship trophy after trouncing the Jaguars, 80-67, in the series opener.
It was the most lopsided match in their past three encounters. Starting with a high level of intensity, the Lancers ripped the game early, 23-9, then established as much as 19 points lead, 39-20, late in the second quarter.
The Lancers were never threatened from there onwards. The Jaguars did trim the defict down to a single digit, 67-76, but victory was already in the palm of UV's hands at that point with only 32 seconds left to play.
Prolific gunners Rey Suerte and Tristan Albina carried most of UV's load with their prolific outside shooting, while their big men led by Bassieru Sackor also figured prominently as well as John Soliva, Michael Macion and Jerome Napao. He may not be consistent offensively but the 6-foot-5 Cameroonian is a monster in defense, averaging 20 rebounds in their past two games.
In their quest to rule the CESAFI pre-season tiff, the Lancers could also count on Josue Segumpan, Jason Balabag and flashy pointman Sheldon Gahi.
The Jaguars of coach Jun Noel, on the other hand, must be consistent in their perimeter gunning, which they are deadly at once they started to hit their targets.
In their Game 1 setback, only RJ Dinolan and Ricky Dyn Peromingan stepped on the gas pedal resulting to their downfall.
For them to extend the series into its full route, the Jaguars must also draw ample support from the likes of Jaybee Mantilla, Miguel Gastador, Nelvin Navarra and Edmund Bayhonan among others.
Game 3, if necessary, will be played on Sunday. (FREEMAN)