Rey Anthony Suerte of UV goes up against Jomari Tobiano of USC in a fast break play in Game 2 of the Cesafi men’s basketball finals (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON).
Warriors coach wants team to improve defense
Game today:
Cebu Coliseum
5:30 p.m. – UV vs USC
The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors will try to equalize their best-of-five championship series against the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers today when the two teams clash in Game 4 in the 16th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament finals at the Cebu Coliseum.
With their backs against the wall, the Warriors pulled off all the stops including scoring the game’s last seven points to stop the Lancers from marching to the title, 56-52, in Game Three and keep their title defense alive. Down three with less than two minutes to go, USC got huge plays from veteran guard Gio Laguyo, rookie Conrad Catapusan and Congolese big man Scotty Ntumba in crunchtime to push them over the top and trim UV’s series lead to 2-1.
USC head coach Rommel Rasmo said that they can still do a better job of defending the Lancers who they held to a season-low 52 points.
“We really need to improve our defense especially in rebounding and make sure to come out with a lot of energy. We need to play like we’re fighting for our very lives,” said the affable mentor who is eyeing to become the first coach in league history to win both the high school and collegiate crowns.
Rasmo has the high school crown tucked under his belt after leading the Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles to a sweep of the University of Cebu just last weekend.
Rasmo also made mention of his team’s need to stay true to their identity if they are to become successful at forcing a Game Five.
“I have to let the players understand that we have to play our game if we want to win in Game Four,” he added.
Rasmo’s counterpart, UV head coach Gary Cortes, on the other hand, rued his team’s lack of a killer instinct in Game Three. Ahead by three, 52-49, with a minute and a half left in the game, the Green Lancers slackened their grip and left the door ajar for USC to break through and snatch the win.
“Players played without a killer instinct. But we will bounce back in Game Four,” promised UV’s fiery mentor.
While UV’s frontcourt of Liberian forward Bassiere Sackor and Monic Soliva flourished with a double-double each, the rest of the team failed to deliver as only five other players managed to score.