Webmasters arrange grudge  finals rematch with Lancers

CEBU, Philippines —  The twice-to-beat University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters ousted the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 83-72, to set up a grudge finals rematch with the unbeaten defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 23 Men’s Basketball Tournament last Thursday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Zareygel Rosano dropped 19 points laced with six steals and three assists, while Jhiey Paraldo tallied 13 markers and Luther Leonard scored 12 as the Webmasters made back-to-back finals entry for the first time since June Mar Fajardo spearheaded UC to three consecutive championship appearances from 2009 to 2011.

It’s also a chance for the Webmasters to avenge their loss to the Lancers, who edged them, two games to one, in last year’s final battle.

But then again, the Webmasters are faced with a formidable task of dethroning the heavily favored Lancers, who have yet to taste defeat in 11 games this season.

Their paths will cross again in the opener of their best-of-three title series scheduled on Tuesday, December 12.

Meanwhile, a pair of knockout matches will take place at the Cebu Coliseum today.

At stake are championship berths in the juniors division.

The UV Baby Lancers will lock horns with the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars in the 12:30 p.m. curtain-raiser, while reigning titleholders Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles will collide with UCLM in the second game at 2 p.m.

The winners will fight it out in the race-to-two finals beginning on Monday, December 11.