African import lifts UV to victory

African import Steve Cedric Akomo debuted to rave reviews as he led the University of the Visayas Green Lancers to an 86-63 rout of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers in the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The 6-foot-8 beanpole was brought in to become the final piece to the puzzle in the Lancers’ bid to reclaim the crown that eluded them for the last two years.

Yesterday, Akomo showed that he was more than up to the challenge as he piled up 17 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and five blocked shots.

UV got off to a slow start as it trailed, 8-10, early in the first but made amends later in that stretch with a blistering 14-0 blast that was anchored on baskets by Akomo, Eman Calo, John Abad and Raffy Octobre for a 22-10 lead.

The rout was on in the second period as the Lancers did not let up on the gas pedal and unleashed an 11-1 run that saw Jerome Silva can back-to-back three pointers. Silva had 21 points to pace the winners.

That offensive barrage gave UV a commanding 43-25 lead at the turn.

The lead ran as high as 29 but USPF had its moments later in the third as it scored 11 straight with shots from Lawrence Escanilla, Jam Ferraren and his younger brother, James, which got the team to within 18, 46-64.

However, the Lancers were not to be deterred as they started the fourth with a 9-1 run that was capped off by a booming three from rookie wingman Angelo Babia.

Fritz Dajalos led the Panthers with 14 points while Jam Ferraren added 11.

In the juniors division, the University of San Carlos Baby Warriors notched their second straight win with yet another blowout, this time of the USPF Baby Panthers, 96-85.

Jerd Pilares led the onslaught with 26 points.