THE UNIVERSITY of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers-powered Philippine squad suffered another loss in their stint in the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia, as they were defeated by Mongolia, 79-92, in the group stage last Thursday evening.
It was the team’s fourth loss in a row but this was the closest result so far.
For a while, the Green Lancers were primed for their first win of the tournament as they led, 26-23, after the first period behind the shotmaking of John Abad, who scored 11 in that stretch.
However, Mongolia started to break the game wide open in the ensuing canto as it unleashed a 17-0 blast anchored on Delgernyam Davaasambuu and Bilguun Battuvshin that gave the team a 47-38 lead at halftime.
UV came as close as four, 53-57, behind Abad and reigning Cesafi Rookie of the Year-MVP Wowie Escosio, but Mongolia relented and retaliated with a 10-2 run that established a 67-55 lead heading to the final canto.
The Green Lancers’ last hurrah was at 74-79, with 4:05 left in the game but Battuvshin answered with six straight points that blew the wind out of the sails of UV.
Abad, the MVP of the Partner’s Cup preseason tournament, led the squad with 30 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and six steals while Chris Perolino and Escosio had 14 and 11, respectively.
Battuvshin paced Mongolia with 26 while Sanchir Tungalag added 21.
UV was finishing the last of its assignments with a game against Mexico that was still being played as of press time. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio