Cesafi : Thrilling showdown unfolds in Men’s Basketball Game 2

Fans of the UV Lancers were seen jubilantly cheering as their team secured victory in Game 2 of the Cesafi Men’s Basketball on Thursday, December 14. | CDN Photo/ Pia Piquero

CEBU CITY, Philippines –- The Game 2 of the Cesafi men’s finals basketball tournament was an intense battle between the UV Lancers and UC Webmasters on Thursday, December 14, turning the Cebu Coliseum into a cauldron of excitement.

The raucous cheers of the crowd set the stage for a thrilling match as both teams displayed unwavering determination to claim victory, evident in the close scores at end of every quarter.

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

In the first quarter, UC took an initial lead of 11-10, maintaining their advantage with a 29-23 score against UV at the halftime mark.

The fervor in the arena heightened with every point scored, as fans energetically waved their green and blue balloons and banners, contributing to the electric atmosphere.

However, UV turned the tables in the third quarter, seizing a 36-33 lead against UC and setting the stage for an intense final quarter.

In a nail-biting finish, UV emerged victorious with a final score of 53-41 against UC.

The resounding win sparked jubilation among UV supporters, with fans expressing their elation.

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

Neil Dorothy, a UV fan, shared his joy, saying, “Happy kay daog akong pusta. Maynta mo champion ta balik kay graduating nami. Maynta mudaog sila.”

(I am happy because the team I bet on won. I hope they become champions again because we are graduating now. I hope they win.)

Jian Dominique, another UV supporter, expressed her satisfaction, stating, “Nindot kaayo kay I mean nag-expect na ko na makadaog but nindot kaayo sa feeling na na-make into reality. Taronga ninyo Lancers kay kamo ako kabayo, kamo ako manok.

(It is really nice because I mean I was expecting that they will win, but it is a nice feeling to make it into reality. Play well Lancers because you are our horse, you are our bet.)

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

Meanwhile, Elaiza Sestoso, a loyal UC fan, acknowledged the challenge of the team.

“Sayangan kaayo [ko] kay naglabaw unta sila, pero adto na time daghan kaayo ila error na apasan sila. [Pero] yes [confident] kaayo gihapon ko, laban lang Webmasters,” Sestoso said.

(I see this as a lost opportunity because we were leading, but at that time they committed many errors that is why the other team caught up with them. [But] yes [we are confident] still, fight Webmasters.)

Kingly Egay, a UC fan and former coaching staff of UC, provided insights into the game.

READ: For UV coach Gary Cortes, Game 1 loss to UC was good wake-up call

“Daghan error sa third quarter, but the first two quarters okay pa man sila sa long run niduwa man gud sila sa duwa sa UV so nawala ang focus ang mga point guard. As alumna sa Webmaster, part mi sa coaching staff,” Egay said.

(There are many errors in the third quarter, but the first two quarters, we were okay in the long run they played the game that UV wanted them to play so the point guard lost focus. As alumna of the Webmaster, we are part of the coaching staff.)

He added, “Adjustment, must win situation, do or die, depende nana sa giingon nilag mind games ba. Mind games sa coaches nana na adjustment and sa mental toughness nana sa players mao na siya as former. Strong lang kay back to zero, kuan na lang determination ug pag ampo na lang, ug para imo, para imo man gyud na siya.”

(Adjustments, must win situation, do or die, it will depend on what they call the mind games. Mind games of the coaches and adjustments and on the mental toughness of the players. Let’s just be strong because we are back to zero, we just need determination and prayers, if it is for you, it is for you.)

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