(Photo courtesy of Cesafi Media Bureau )
16 November 2019
CEBU CITY–The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers showed they are not the league’s winningest team for nothing.
The Green Lancers will contend for a fourth straight crown after they nosed out the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 76-75, in their do-or-die semifinal match of the 2019 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum last Saturday, November 16.
The Green Lancers overcame a twice-to-win disadvantage as they got a stirring follow-up of their 81-62 dumping of the same UC squad last Thursday.
The Green Lancers battled back from an early 14-point deficit as Ted Saga dropped two pressure-packed free throws that gave UV a 76-75 lead with only 3.1 seconds left.
Saga earned the crucial gift shots after Jancork Cabahug collared a loose ball and was fouled while attempting a shot.
Saga stepped in to take the free throw shots after Cabahug limped out after suffering what appeared to be a knee injury.
With their season on the line, Saga didn’t blink and the Green Lancers went on to escape after UC’s Rodel Gravera missed a baseline jumper as time expired.
Lass Coulibally topped the Green Lancers with 17 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks. Cabahug added 12 points, Gabriel Cometa had 11 and veteran big man Monic Soliva had 10.
Darrell Shane Menina paced UC with 24 points, while Paul Galinato donated 22.
UV will next play the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras in a best-of-three title series starting Monday, November 18.
The high school title series will pit the defending champion UC and and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.
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