Well-rested Prime Asia-UV squad routs Kia-CIT-U in first semifinal game of Partner’s Cup

The Prime Asia-University of the Visayas Green Lancers creamed the Kia Motors-Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats, 97-76, at the start of the single round-robin semifinals of the 6th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Partner’s Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Green Lancers showed no ill effects or rust from the weeklong break that they enjoyed by virtue of the bye they received after topping the elimination round.

With their offense flowing from their vice-like defense, the Green Lancers imposed their will in the second canto, where they outscored their opponents, 31-20, to establish a 58-43 lead.

Big man Wowie Escosio connived with veterans Phil Mercader and Eman Calo during that blistering rally as they combined for 19 points of their output in that stretch that set the stage for the one-sided rout.

Kia Motors tried its best to get back into the game as it trimmed the lead to 12 points on several occasions during the third canto, the last at 57-69.

But Prime Asia simply had too deep and too talented a roster as Raffy Octobre scored two freethrows, which was followed by a layup by John Abad and a long two-pointer by Mercader that gave them an 83-59 lead.

The lead reached a high of 25 points as Escosio finished with 24 points while Abad and Andrew Avillanoza added 15 and 11, respectively.

Allen Dimco paced Kia Motors with 20 even as Floyd Taboada contributed 14.