The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers head to the finals with a measure of pride after they routed the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), 73-49, during the final day of the semifinal round in the 13th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Still seething over the 70-77 loss they suffered at the hands of bitter enemies, Southwestern University (SWU) earlier in the week, the Green Lancers got their acts together and vented their ire on the hapless Jaguars, who again failed to reach the 50-point mark for the third time in their last four games of the season.
UV ended the semis with a 4-2 (win-loss) record while USJ-R exited with just a single win to go with their five defeats.
The Jaguars will be taking on the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in a best-of-three series for third place.
USC lost to SWU, 80-82 in the main game last night.
Monbert Arong saved the day for SWU as he made a fastbreak layup with 3.1 seconds left that pushed SWU to its 12th win in a row this season.
Little-used guard Miko Marquez got a break and took advantage of it, scoring 11 points to lead the Lancers.
Reigning league MVP Wowie Escosio added 10 markers.
USJ-R, on the other hand, got 15 from reserve guard Wilkins Sanchez and 10 from Christian Parker.
Meanwhile, league commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy said that referees coming from Manila will arrive in time for Game 1 of the best-of-five championship series between SWU and UV on Tuesday evening.