CEBU CITY, Philippines— The University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu Mandaue (UCLM) Webmasters outlasted the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Green Lancers in a nail-biting, 63-61, victory in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) high school hoop wars on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the Cebu Coliseum.
Shooting guard Revo Lao topscored for UCLM with 14 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc, while Geo Rey Lumagod and Kian Luchavez each chipped in 12 markers for the Webmasters.
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Dela Torre’s 14 points not enough
The Baby Green Lancers’ John Dela Torre was also on fire, tallying 14 points, but those were not enough to get his team on the winning side.
Ismael Cordora had 11 points, while Roderick Cambarihan added 10 points in their losing efforts.
The Baby Webmasters endured eight lead changes and four deadlocks in their back-and-forth battle until the final buzzer.
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How UCLM got Cesafi win against UV Baby Lancers
The Baby Webmasters of head coach Caleb Gawangan started the second half with a four-point lead, 46-42, but UV turned the tables in the final period after grabbing a five-point lead, 56-51, mostly from Dela Torre’s efforts.
UC regained the lead after unloading an 11-2 run down the stretch with Luchavez topping it with a runaway layup to grab a four-point cushion, 62-58, with 26 seconds remaining.
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UV Baby Lancers missed last shot of the game
Not to be outfought, Dela Torre nailed a crucial triple with 15.4 seconds remaining to cut the lead to just one, 61-62, but time wasn’t on UV’s side, forcing them to give up a foul, sending Lao to the charity stripe.
Lao split his free throws giving UC a one possession lead, 63-61. UV had a chance to win or tie the game, but Dela Torre missed his triple at the top of the key that ultimately sealed the game.
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