UV pounces on low-morale USPF in Cesafi

The University of the Visayas Green Lancers toyed with the low-morale University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers, scoring a one-sided 91-50 win, to solidify its hold of the top spot in the college division of the 2017 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum last night.

The emphatic win started with UV trading points early before taking away the fight from the Panthers, who were playing with nine warm bodies following the suspension of four players who took part in the commotion between Roy Quiachon and referee Roland Yamelo in the controversial game against the University of Cebu Webmasters last Thursday.

After Rodelio Cauba Jr. sank a triple to push USPF, 6-7, a minute and 36 seconds after the opening buzzer, UV stepped on the gas and dropped a 19-4 blast and played a solid game the rest of the way to completing a 41-point win. They improved to 8-1.

USPF’s closest challenge was to cut down a 34-16 lead down to 11 following a quick 7-0 run, midway to the second period.

However, UV finished the first half dropping a 13-2 counter run to post a 22-point lead, 47-25, at the close of the opening 20 minutes.

With the result clearly going the Lancers’ way, UV coach Gary Cortes experimented with his rotation, using an all-guard at one point, then an all-bigmen line-up in another scenario, especially in the final period.

Aside from the scoring department, UV also dominated USPF in rebounds, 64-28, and assists at 23-13.

What kept USPF from getting blown away were the 27 turnovers committed by UV, which they managed to convert into 19 points.