UV trumps USC in game 2 to even CESAFI finals

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers held off the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 70-63, to win Game 2 and level the best-of-5 title CESAFI Finals series at 1-1 on Tuesday, October 13 at the New Cebu Coliseum.

The pivotal game 3 will be played on Thursday, October 15 at 6 pm.

(READ: USC takes Game 1 in CESAFI finals)

UV point guard June Kent Manzo towed the Green Lancers with his explosive performance which saw him scoring 16 of his 20 points in the first half. He was unstoppable on the court, drawing jeers from the Warriors’ fans whenever he touched the ball.

Manzo allowed the UV Green Lancers to take an 11-point lead with 3:03 left in the first quarter when he sank his two gift shots following an unsportsmanlike foul from Christian Maconocido when he stole the ball from William McAloney and went for a drive.

Manzo had to be taken out of the game after a tangle with Shooster Olago saw blood run from his chin with 1:04 remaining in the ballgame. By then, Manzo and the Green Lancers were already well on their way to victory.

The Green Lancers benefited from strong performances from Francisco Arong, who finished with 11 points, and Arvie Cabanero, who chipped in 10 points.

UV import Steve Akomo only contributed 9 points but avoided the early foul trouble that limited him in Game 1. He also pulled 11 rebounds, 3 steals and two blocks.

His colleague Olago topscored for USC Warriors with 26 points while grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing two assists.

While UV’s gunners had no trouble connecting with the basket, it was a different story for USC with only Ian Jefferson Tagapan (17 points) contributing in double figures.

UV led by as much as 22, 58-36, after Francisco Arong’s basket to start the fourth quarter.

Although the UV Green Lancers had the lead all the way, the USC Warriors came as close as 5 points on a rainbow shot from Tagapan with only 15.4 seconds left in the ballgame. However, it wasn’t enough to wrestle game 2 from the UV Lancers as USC used up their fouls to hamper the Green Lancers to no avail.

Arong sealed the win for the UV Green Lancers by sinking two of his gift shots for a 7-point advantage.

Scores:

UV (70) – Manzo 20, Arong 11, Cabanero 10, Akomo 9, Codilla 6, Suerte 6, Mendoza 4, Aguirre 2, Segumpan 2.

USC (63) – Olago 26, Tagapan 17, Laguyo 5, Rabat 5, Ortega 3, Pepito 3, Suarez 3, McAloney 2. – Rappler.com