CESAFI: UV Baby Lancers move closer to finals

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers secured themselves a hefty chance of advancing to the finals of the CESAFI High School division after streaking past the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters, 54-49, Sunday, October 9, at the New Cebu Coliseum.

In the other semifinals game, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles put themselves back on track for a fourth straight title after annihilating the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, 64-37.

Beirn Anthony Laurente once again led the Baby Lancers with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, one block and one steal while the small but terrible Gelmart Umpad once again topscored for the Junior Webmasters with 12 points, albeit this time for a losing cause. Although he finished with 5 steals, Umpad only managed two rebounds and two assists.

The Magis Eagles for their part was led by Michael Cutamora with 12 points and 9 rebounds while James Daniel Tempra was the leading scorer for the Dragons despite only finishing with 7 points.

The UC Junior Webmasters would have assured themselves of a finals ticket had they won their second game.

Both teams were determined to bolster their chances of advancing to the Best of 3 Finals Series as the game deadlocked 10 times including a12-all that ended the first quarter and 41-all going into the final canto. The lead also change hands 5 times the last one with 2:08 remaining in the ballgame on a basket by Ivan Jay Maata that put UV up by two points, 51-49.

And from there, UV held UC scoreless while adding 3 more to their score on converted baskets from Raul Jancork Cabahug and Maata.

The UV Baby Lancers now lead the semifinal round at 2-0 while the UC Junior Webmasters and the SHS-AdC Magis Eagles have one game a piece.

There was about a 20-minute delay before the game could resume onto the final canto following a power outage.

October 11 semifinals schedule

High school

5:15 pm – UV vs SHS-AdC

6:45 pm – CEC vs UC

Scores

First game

SHS-AdC Magis Eagles (64) – Cutamora 12, Visser 11, Pastor 10, Velasco 9, Colonia 6, Mantua 5, Manaytay 4, J. Yu 3, Calumpang 2, Lapina 2.

CEC Dragons (37) – Tempra 7, Banez 6, Baruc 5, Casio 4, Galarse 4, Sanchez 4, Gabutero 3, Guillemer 2, Roy 2.

Second game

UV Baby Lancers (54) – Laurente 16, Cabahug 8, Maata 7, Maglasang 7, Brillo 5, Yerro 4, Rosette 3, Paraldo 2.

UC Junior Werbmasters (49) – Umpad 12, Ordeniza 10, Cuyos 6, Resilla 5, Abejo 4, Gabisan 4, Angco 2, Casera 2, Enriquez 2, Santome 2. – Rappler.com