CESAFI: UV Baby Lancers complete juniors semifinal cast

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers complete the semifinals cast of the juniors division in the ongoing CESAFI men’s basketball tournament with a 77-58 dismissal of the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) Baby Jaguars in their second quarterfinals meeting Sunday, September 13 at the New Cebu Coliseum.

The fifth-ranked UV Baby Lancers needed to beat the fourth-ranked USJR Baby Jaguars twice in order to advance. They forced a rubber match against the Baby Jaguars with a 68-42 drubbing last September 10.

With the win, the Baby Lancers join league leader Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles, second-ranked University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors and third-ranked University of Cebu (UC) Juniors Webmasters, who booted out last season’s third placer University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, in the semifinal round beginning this Tuesday September 15 and which will follow a single round-robin format.

First semifinals game this Tuesday, September 15 will have the Magis Eagles going up against the Baby Lancers.

Just as in their first quarterfinals match, the Baby Lancers relied on Raul Jancork Cabahug, who had another double-double performance of 22 points and 17 rebounds, to silence the Baby Jaguars whose own John Kirck Gonzaga continued to have a sluggish performance although he did improve his output from last game’s six points to 10 points, this time.

Cabahug also registered 3 assists and two blocks.

Joshua Renz Ortiz once again led the Baby Jaguars with his 13 points while Gonzaga and Ibero added 10 points apiece.

The Baby Jaguars only made six of 37 field goals and none of their players tallied an assist in the first half. They trailed by as much as 22 points in the first quarter, 5-27, and ended the first half by just adding 13 points, 18-42, at the halftime break.

The match became physical and heated with both teams given warnings especially Beirn Anthony Laurente for the Baby Lancers and Ortiz for the Baby Jaguars.

With Cabahug sitting out half of the third quarter after incurring his third personal foul, the Baby Jaguars clawed back into the game and managed to cut the Baby Lancers lead of 26 points to just 16, 42-58, going into the final canto.

Yannick Noah Enriquez, also one of Baby Jaguars star player, complained of being hit in the eye by Ramish Alforque in a skirmish under the net at the start of the fourth quarter but no unsportsmanlike behavior was called.

Alforque and Jhiey Paraldo took over the scoring cudgels for the Baby Lancers in the final canto combining for 11 points.

The Baby Jaguars once again came close at 15 points on the basket of Geo Ibero but it was the best that they could muster as the Baby Lancers clinched their semifinals ticket with a 19-point advantage at the endgame buzzer.

The Baby Lancers will have a challenge on their hands as they face the Magis Eagles who swept their games in the elimination round. Aside from that boosting their morale, the Magis Eagles also have a psychological advantage over the Baby Lancers whom they beat by nine points, 73-64, during their elimination round meeting last August 15.

Game Schedule

Tuesday, September 15 at New Cebu Coliseum

5:15 PM – SHS-AdC vs UV (1^st game, Semifinals, Juniors)

6:45 PM – USC vs CITU (Seniors) 

Scores:

UV (77) – Cabahug 22, Paraldo 11, Oche 11, Laurente 10, Ro. Alforque 8, Amistoso 6, Ra. Alforque 3, Membrano 2, Yerro 2, Padilla 2, Maglasang 0, Saliot 0, Balazuela 0, Valenzuela 0.

USJ-R (58) – Ortiz 13, Gonzaga 10, Ibero 10, Enriquez 8, Ando 8, Leonora 4, Teleron 3, Dado 2, Camacho 0, Cruz 0, Cabatingan 0, Bascon 0, Himmelsbach 0.

Quarter Scores: 27-5; 42-18; 58-42; 77-58. – Rappler.com