UV beats SWU in Cesafi hoop

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

5 p.m. – CEC vs. CIT-U (Jrs.)

6:30 p.m. – USJ-R vs. USPF (Srs.)

THE UNIVERSITY of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers settled a score that was long overdue as they creamed the Southwestern University Cobras, 95-86, in the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The two teams met in a fierce semifinal match-up last season that ended bloodily because of a near-brawl that marred the Cobras win. That loss was seared into the minds of the Lancers and they used that bitter memory to fuel them to the dominant win yesterday.

UV led early on 20-8, before SWU regained their bearings behind the surprising play of their reserves.

Lancer guard Eman Calo continued his hot shooting streak and made two straight three-pointers in a 15-5 rally that put UV on top, 47-35, at the turn.

The Cobras gained some headway in the third period, wherein they came close, 60-62, behind the play of Monbert Arong, who scored all 24 of his points in the second half.

But the Lancers simply had too much firepower typified by the play of prized rookie find Wowie Escosio, who tallied 14 of his 23 points in the fourth period, keeping the Cobras at bay the rest of the way.

Veteran forward Jerome Silva had 17 points while Calo finished with 12. Cameroonian Steve Akomo sat all of the fourth period because of foul trouble and was limited to just 11 markers.

UV finished the elimination round with a clean 6-0 (win-loss) record while SWU continued their roller-coaster ride as they fell to 2-3.

In juniors action, the Cebu Eastern College Dragons defeated the University of Cebu, 66-63 while the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles notched their seventh win in a row with an 88-76 win over the University of San Carlos. The Cebu Institute of Technology-University also beat the University of Southern Philippines, 83-70. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio