25 October 2018
CEBU CITY—The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers moved on the threshold of capturing a third straight crown after they clipped the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 78-74, in Game 1 of the 2018 Cesafi men’s basketball tournament best-of-three finals on Thursday night, October 25, at the Cebu Coliseum here.
Former league MVP Rey Suerte flirted with triple-double, while rookie Jafet Claridad turned out to be UV’s surprise package as the duo joined forces to help the Green Lancers move a win away from competing a rare grand slam.
Suerte collected 15 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, while Claridad scattered 14 markers and did a splendid job defending USJ-R’s top playmaker Jaybie Mantilla.
Mantilla topped the Jaguars with 18 points but shot just 5-for-16 from the field. The reigning MVP scored 10 points in the opening quarter before CLaridad put the cuffs on him.
Suerte and Claridad likewise delivered big buckets for UV down the stretch.
Suerte dropped a three-point bomb in the final 3:31 that handed UV a 73-70 lead.
The Jaguars forced a 74-all standoff but Claridad sank his own booming triple, allowing the Green Lancers to take a critical 77-74 cushion with only 1:29 left.
RJ Dinolan bungled two cracks at the basket and Bassieru Sackor sealed the win for UV with a split free throw with only 2.4 seconds left in the clock.
Sackor finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Jancork Cabahug contributed 16 points.
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