The University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers continued to wave Cebu’s flag up high in Manila as they advanced to the semifinals of the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) with a thrilling 75-74 win over the reigning UAAP champions Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws yesterday at the SGS Gym.
Reserve guard Gabriel Cometa came up with the biggest shot of the game for the reigning Cesafi high school champions as he canned a three-pointer with 2:36 left to shatter a 72-all deadlock and put UV in front for good.
But UV was not out of the woods just yet as FEU’s Daniel Celzo pulled the Baby Tams closer, 74-74, with a short jumper, with 1:39 to go in the ballgame.
FEU even had several chances to retake the lead, but former UAAP Finals MVP LJ Gonzales muffed two free throws and a jumper with 45 ticks on the clock.
Still, UV could not secure the win outright as Joshue Yerro turned the ball over with 25 seconds remaining. Fortunately, FEU was not able to capitalize as Ronjay Barrientos’ jumper was off the mark.
Needing a good inbounds pass to get them the victory, UV faltered once again as the normally reliable Jancork Cabahug issued a bad pass, giving possession back to FEU with four ticks on the clock.
The Baby Lancers, though, were able to breathe a sign of relief as Barrientos’ potential game-winning three-pointer bounced off the rim as time expired.
Yerro starred for UV with a double-double performance of 13 points and 10 rebounds peppered with three assists and two steals. Cabahug paced the team in scoring with 14 points and eight boards while JJ Rosete punched in 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.
The Baby Lancers’ next opponent will be a tough one as they take on the 2015 champions of this tournament, Chiang Kai Shek College.
CKSC beat down the reigning NCAA champions, La Salle Greenhills, 77-53, in their quarterfinal encounter.
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