Codilla leads UV Green Lancers past USJR Jaguars

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers rode on the crucial 4 points of point guard Alfred Codilla which he scored with only 30 seconds remaining to stop what would have been another upset and squeaked past the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) Jaguars, 78-74, Friday, September 4 in another electrifying seniors division game of the men’s basketball tournament of the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) held at the New Cebu Coliseum.

With 31.5 seconds remaining in the ballgame, Codilla, who was only afforded a few minutes of playtime, sank a crucial 3-pointer after receiving a pass from Jun Kent Manzo III  to forge a 74-all tie which sent the Green Lancers’ bench into a frenzy.

With 7 seconds remaining, the Jaguars had a chance to still turn the game around in their favor but they were called for a 5 second violation with Mark Louie Labares not able to pass the ball to his teammates.

As the seconds were dying out, the Jaguars had another chance when Ricky Dyn Peromingan was able to steal the ball from Manzo, however, he missed his three-point attempt which could have brought the game into overtime.

With 1.8 seconds remaining, Peromingan fouled Codilla who then split his charities to seal the win for the Green Lancers, who now tote a 6-2 win-loss record.

The Jaguars further languishes in 6th place with its record of 2-5 with 5 more games to play in the second round.

Codilla may have only scored a total of 10 points but his crucial play earned him the best player of the ballgame title. Manzo and Josue Segumpan Jr. topscored for the Green Lancers with 13 points each.

Ralph Jude Dinolan scattered a total of 25 points for the Jaguars to no avail.

Segumpan’s back-to-back shots from beyond the arc gave the Green Lancers a 9-point lead, 17-8, with a little more than two minutes left in the first quarter. 

Despite a trey from Peromingan and two layups from Nelvin Navarra, the Green Lancers still ended the first quarter in their favor, 25-16.

In the next quarter, the Jaguars came as close as 4 points, 38-42, on a rainbow shot by Renzo Theodore Senining before a scuffle ensued that saw Edmundo Bayhonan being hit from behind by Vincent Mendoza, who was promptly called for an unsportsmanlike behavior and the Jaguars were awarded two free throws, which Bayhonan converted, and ball possession for the Jaguars.

In the third quarter, the Jaguars continued to come close as much as 4 points, the last was in the 3:52 mark, but everytime they did, the Green Lancers would sink straight baskets to widen the gap to as much as nine points, a lead the Green Lancers maintained going into the final canto, 57-66.

In the final canto, the Jaguars slowly cut on the Green Lancers lead behind the efforts of Kevin Rey Villafranca, Juan Miguel Gastador, who was not feeling well, and Dinolan, whose five straight points brought them close at 3 points, 70-73.

The Jaguars then committed three turnovers which fortunately for them the Green Lancers failed to convert into points.

Meanwhile, the elimination round for the juniors division will end September 5, Saturday which will mean another exciting games with three teams holding the same 4-3 win-loss records – last year’s third placer University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, USJR Baby Jaguars and UV Baby Lancers.

Win or lose, defending champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles and University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors are assured of the top 2  spots, respectively.

Games September 5 at the New Cebu Coliseum

Juniors

1 PM: SHS-AdC vs CEC

2:30 PM: USJR vs USPF

4 PM: UV vs USC

Seniors

5:30 PM: CITU vs SWU

Scores:

UV (78) – Manzo 13, Segumpan 13, Akomo 12, Codilla 10, Cabanero 9, Santillan 9, Suerte 8, Aguirre 2, Napao 2.

USJR (74) – Dinolan 25, Peromingan 13, Labares 10, Navarra 7, Villafranca 6, Gastador 5, Mantilla 4, Senining 3, Bayhonan 2.

Quarter scores: 25-16; 44-40; 66-57; 78-74   – Rappler.com