CEBU CITY — University of the Visayas dug deep on defense and held University of Cebu scoreless in the last four minutes to come away with a 53-41 win in Game Two of the Chooks-to-Go Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) Season 23 college basketball finals on Thursday at the Cebu Coliseum here.
This means the collegiate basketball title will be decided via one game—Game Three on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Raul Gentallan energized the Green Lancers in the fourth period, scoring six of his team-high 12 points. Ivo Salarda added 11 markers, while Froiland Maglasang chipped in eight points.
Game Two hung in the balance in the fourth, but UV found their second wind and uncorked a 10-0 run sparked by a triple by AJ Sacayan, consecutive layups by Gentallan, and a free-throw by Maglasang for a 46-37 lead, with 6:29 left in the game.
UC trimmed the deficit to five after Jasper Pacaña and Zareygel Rosano baskets with 4:02 to go.
However, that was the last time the Webmasters got on the board as they went scoreless the rest of the way and committed six straight turnovers.
UV, meanwhile, kept on humming as Ivan Alsola scored two free throws, Maglasang shot in a midrange jumper, and Jim Paul Amistoso sank the dagger—a long straightaway three-pointer that pegged the final score.
Nobody scored in double-figures for UC, with John Dajab tallying seven and Maverick Eligoyo and Michael Diaz putting up six points apiece.
UC’s offensive troubles began in the third as they put up a mere four points. UV pounced and grabbed the upper hand, 36-33, after six straight points from Salarda.
The athletic two-guard scored on a putback, a short fadeaway jumper, and a layup shortly before the third period sounded.
UC controlled the first half and led by six, 19-13, after a pullup jumper by Dajab. UV pulled to within two, 21-19, after a triple by Maglasang.
But the Webmasters held steady and answered with consecutive baskets from Ricofer Sordilla to keep them in front, 29-23, at halftime. – JP
