Lancers book ticket to national finals

The University of the Visayas-backed Lancers are returning to Manila for the second straight year and did it in dominant fashion as they blasted the Ateneo de Iloilo, 71-47, in the Visayas regional finals of the Coca Cola PBA Youngstars 2013 last Saturday at the Capitol Parish Gym.

Joshua Flores continued to be the star of the show for the Lancers as he piled up 25 points while Jun Manzo and Orlan Wamar added 15 and 12 points, respectively.

The Lancers were determined early on as they posted a 24-9 lead after the opening canto.

Manzo and Wamar showed the way as they combined for 13 points spiked by three three-pointers in that stretch.

Flores then took over as he scored 12 points in the ensuing canto to push the lead to 17, 42-25, at halftime.

The result was a foregone conclusion from thereonend as the Lancers cruised to the championship win and more importantly, the chance to avenge on their title loss in the national finals last year at the hands of the San Beda-powered Taytay team.

Miguel Sasuman paced Ateneo de Iloilo with 25 markers.

In an earlier game, Bacolod/West Negros University defeated Iloilo/Ateneo de Iloilo, 50-43, to snatch third place.

The Lancers have now won the first two editions of both the Cebu and Visayas legs of the tournament organized by the PBA, and will now face the other regional champions from all over the country and Metro Manila at the national finals on May 19 to 26 in Manila.

BOX SCORES:

Cebu/Lancers (71) – Flores 25, Manzo 15, Wamar 12, Morre 6, Balbosa 4, Silorio 4, Gonzaga 3, King 2, Oche 2.

Iloilo/Ateneo de Iloilo (47) – Sasuman 25, Gabriel 8, Ong 6, Guadalupe 3, Babas 2, Escarilla 2, Diaz 1. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio