THE UNIVERSITY of the Visayas-powered Lancers captured their second straight title in the Cebu leg of the Coca Cola PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament but had to do it the hard way as they had to overcome a huge 16-point deficit in the first half to defeat the University of San Carlos-manned Warriors, 67-59, during the finals last Monday night at the City Sports Club-Cebu basketball court.
The Lancers stared at a 16-point bulge, 23-39, in the second period but steadily chopped the lead, cutting it down to 12, 30-42, at halftime before unleashing their ferocious defense upon the Warriors in the third canto.
There, the Lancers held down their opponents to a measly three points, all coming off freethrows, while scoring 18 of their own for a 48-45 lead heading to the final canto.
They poured it on some more with a 7-0 blast at the start of the fourth to erect a 10-point lead, 55-45, but the Warriors fought back for the last time at 59-64, with only 2:48 remaining.
UV simply had too much veteran mettle behind Orlan Wamar and Jun Manzo, who masterfully kept the Warriors at bay until the end.
Wamar finished with 18 points while Manzo finished with 17 markers.
In the consolation game for third place, Team Easternians defeated Team Greywolves, 70-50.
The Cebu champion will now face the champions from Bacolod and Iloilo in the Visayas Regional Finals which will be held in Cebu May 10 to 11 at the Capitol Parish Gym. The Cebu leg is one of 12 provincial tournaments in this annual summer league. The Visayas champion qualifies for the national finals slated May 19 to 26 in Manila. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio