Lancers, Warriors renew rivalry in Coca-Cola tilt

THE UNIVERSITY of the Visayas-powered Lancers and the University of San Carlos-backed Warriors forged another title showdown for the Cebu title in the Coca Cola PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament 2013 after they hurdled their respective opponents in the semifinals over the weekend at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu basketball courts.

The reigning Cebu champions Lancers blew past the Cebu Eastern College-manned Easternians, 69-49, while the Warriors had an easy time disposing of the Don Bosco-powered Greywolves, 70-55.

The Lancers took care of business early as they raced off to a 23-6 lead after the first period and did not relinquish it to the very end.

The win was their fifth straight in the competition. Joshua Flores and Jun Manzo had 15 points apiece for the winners.

In the other game, the Warriors put on an inspired effort in the first half and led, 34-17, before the Greywolves came roaring back to slice the deficit to just seven, 47-40, after the third canto.

But that was as close as the Greywolves got as the Warriors started the fourth on a 13-0 run that all but settled the outcome. Carlo Ortega led the Warriors with 16 points while Clint Suelto drilled in 15.

The Lancers-Warriors match-up is a replay of last year’s championship game, where the Lancers won, 91-49.

They went on to win the Visayas Regional Finals in Bacolod, then placed second to Taytay in the national finals of 2012./Correspondent Jonas Panerio