Scothy Ntumba, the towering import of University of San Carlos, scores on a dunk against three University of the Visayas defenders in Game 3 of the 16th Cesafi men’s basketball best-of-five finals at the Cebu Coliseum last night. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors lived to fight another day as they nipped the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 56-52, in a thrilling Game Three of the best-of-five championship series of the 16th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The defending champions got huge plays from guard Gio Laguyo, who tied the game at 52-all with a floater over the outstretched arms of UV forward Bassiere Sackor, and rookie Conrad Catapusan, who coolly canned the go-ahead lay-up that came off a great outlet pass from Laguyo, with 10.4 seconds left in the game.
Laguyo, who several plays before had to be taken to the sidelines after getting hit in the bum shoulder by a hard pick, then held his ground on defense and drew an offensive from Lancers guard Alfred Codilla. He then sealed the victory with two pressure-packed free throws with 3.4 ticks remaining.
UV still leads the series, 2-1, with Game Four set on Saturday.
“Adrenaline lang talaga. It hurt afterwards but I didn’t feel anything at the time. Coach called for a pick for me and I saw an open lane. I saw Sackor coming so I had to throw up that floater. Buti nalang pumasok,” described Laguyo of the crucial game-tying play.
Victor Rabat was the lone double-figure scorer for USC with 12 points while Laguyo finished with eight. Malcolm Tan, Catapusan and Ian Tagapan had seven apiece for the Warriors, whom head coach Rommel Rasmo gave all the credit to for pulling off the victory in the intensely fought match.
“The players really wanted it. I just told them to stay in the moment, keep their calm and to stay together. I am very happy that they delivered,” said the jubilant Rasmo after the match.
The loss not only spoiled UV’s bid for a sweep of the series but also wasted away Sackor’s incredible 11-point, 18-rebound effort. Jan Monic Soliva added yet another double-double with 10 points and 10 boards.