Cesafi finals: UV beats UC in Game 2, forces rubbermatch

Jim Paul Amistoso of UV is defended by UC players in Game 2 of the Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum. CDN Digital photo | Brian J. Ochoa

CEBU CITY, Philippines—The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers defeated the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 53-41, in Game 2 of the Cesafi men’s basketball tournament finals on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Cebu Coliseum.

With the win, the best-of-three finals series between UV and UC is now tied at 1-1 and will be decided via a rubbermatch on Saturday, December 16.

The defending champions Green Lancers had their backs against the wall following a Game 1 loss on Tuesday, December 12.

READ: Cesafi: UC stuns UV in Game 1 of men’s basketball finals

Raul Gentallan and Kent Ivo Salarda topscored UV with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Froilan Maglasang and Jim Paul Amistoso combined for 14 points.

None of UC’s players registered double-digit points. Reggie Dajab got seven points, while Maverick Eligoyo, Michael Diaz, and Ricofer Sordilla each had six markers in their defeat. 

The Webmasters, riding on the momentum of their Game 1 victory, got off to a great second period. They put up a 10-6 run to lead as many as five, 21-16, from the efforts of Michael Diaz, Regie Dajab, Art Nalos, and Maverick Eligoyo.

UV fought back, cutting the lead to just two, 19-21, after back-to-back treys from Kent Ivo Salarda and Froilan Maglasang. 

UC responded with a blistering 8-3 run after exploiting UV’s poor shooting and unforced errors to seal the first half with a six-point cushion, 29-23. 

In the second half, the Green Lancers turned the table completely in their favor after outscoring UC, 14-4, to grab a four-point cushion, 37-33, heading into the final canto.

UV anchored on Salarda’s hot shooting, while AJ Sacayan sank a buzzer beating jumper to end the period on a high note.

The Green Lancers stretched their lead to nine, 46-37, after Raul Gentallan and AJ Sacayan connived for a 9-2 run to start the final period, while taking advantage of UC’s scoring slump and excessive turnovers.

UC committed successive turnovers in the last two minutes to seal their doom.

UC’s Jasper Pacaña, their Game 1 hero ended their scoring drought with a layup to cut the deficit to seven, 39-46, with 4:50 left. Zareygel Rosano further cut the lead to five after canning his free throws, 41-46.

UV brought their lead back to seven, 48-41, after Alsola made both his free throws with 2:30 left, while UC suffered four straight turnovers. 

With 1:25 left in the game, Maglasang sank a jumper that put UV ahead with nine points, 50-41, and went on to stretch their lead to 12, 53-41, after the dagger jumper from Maglasang and Jimpaul Amistoso.

/bmjo

READ MORE:

Cesafi finals: UC coach Kernn Sesante vows to give a good fight vs UV

Cesafi Finals: UV’s Cortes expects tough finals battle against UC