Never underestimate the heart of a champion.
This was the statement that the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers made Thursday night as they stayed alive in the semifinals after defeating the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, 73-67, in the seniors division of the 2011 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Green Lancers, holders of nine crowns in this league before being dethroned last year, dug themselves a hole early as they got behind by 12, 21-33, in the second period. However, they got ahead at halftime and staged an endgame rally to capture the win and forge a do-or-die game for the last finals slot this Tuesday at the same venue.
The Cobras has had UV’s number this season, winning both contests in the elimination round.
And it seemed as if nothing would change with SWU going ahead, 24-14, after the opening period and then, 33-21, behind the efforts of Justin Aboude, Rene Pacquiao, Bon Guillena and Junrey Ortuyo.
The Lancers unleashed a sizzling 22-5 run led by John Abad, Jerome Silva, Harold Cincoflores and Edrian Lao, which put them on top, 43-38, at halftime.
The Lancers established their largest lead of the game at eight, 48-40, after four straight points by Silva at the onset of the second half.
Abad, UV’s left-handed gunner, scored 18 for the Lancers while Silva and Cincoflores had 14 and 10, respectively.