Bassieru Sackor (2nd from left), the Cameroonian import of the University of the Visayas, does the “Dab” as the Green Lancers receive the P15,000 top purse after beating University of Southern Philippines Foundation in their exhibition match in Toledo City last Monday night. (CDN PHOTO/CALVIN D. CORDOVA)
THE University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers dug deep into their rich championship experience to stave off the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 91-83, last Monday night at the packed M.A. Barba Sports Complex in Toledo City, western Cebu.
The exhibition match, dubbed as “Pamaskong Handog ng Toledo City” sponsored by Atlas Fertilizer Corporation and organized by AZUL Marketing + Events Philippines, saw the Green Lancers come back from double-digit deficits to escape the Panthers, who paraded newly recruit six-foot-eight Nigerian import Managor.
USPF started like a house on fire with five of their first seven field goals coming from the three-point land that pushed them to an early 20-10 lead.
The Panthers took a 41-30 lead late in the second period before they settled for a 43-34 edge at the half.
Though it was an exhibition match, assistance coaches Junel Maglasang and Van Halen Parmis, who handled the team in lieu of head coach Gary Cortes, gave the Green Lancers an earful for their lackluster halftime performance.
UV was quick to respond at the start of the final half as Jerome Napao scored 10 of the team’s first 11 points in the third as the Green Lancers moved within 45-48.
UV also turned up the heat defensively, using a suffocating trapping defense that left USPF in disarray.
UV was still down, 52-56, when Bassieru Sackor and Monic Soliva ignited a 12-4 run, allowing the Green Lancers to take a 65-61 edge.
The Green Lancers didn’t look back ending the first three quarters of play with a 74-64 edge.
The Cameroonian Sackor led UV with 15 points, while Napao pitched in 13.
The win earned UV the P15,000 top purse, while USPF got P10,000.