BASKETBALL Lancers bungle 1st match in Elite 8

Things did not to go as planned for the University of the Visayas Green Lancers, who started off on the wrong foot in the 2018 Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Elite 8 after losing its first assignment to the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates, 88-80, yesterday at FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Green Lancers, champions of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) managed to get within striking distance of LPU in the first two quarters, ending the opening half at 38-35.

Under the leadership of former Cesafi MVP Rey Suerte, the Green Lancers of coach Gary Cortes jumped off to a 6-1 rally to snatch the lead, 39-41.

But after this, the Pirates of coach Topex Robinson used a trapping defense that gave them the opportunity to blast off with a 17-0 run behind Jayvee ug Jaycee Marcelino to end the third period on top, 56-41.

Suerte and Jon Monic Soliva then worked together to cut the Pirates’ lead to just 10, 60-70.

But the Marcelinos never wavered and stretched the Pirates’ lead back to 15, 75-60, in the final 5:01 minutes.

The Green Lancers once more showed signs of recovering but time was no longer on their side and eventually succumbed to the Pirates.

The loss doused the Lancers’ chance of advancing to the semifinal round especially since they will be up against the UAAP champion Ateneo Blue Eagles for their second game this afternoon.

The Blue Eagles confidently clobbered Naga College Foundation (NCF) Tigers of Bicol, 84-69, last Thursday.

The Pirates, Green Lancers, Blue Eagles and Tigers comprise Group A, while De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, Holy Trinity College (HTC) Wildcats sa General Santos City, San Beda College (SBC) Red Lions ug Sab Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Stags make up Group B.

The top two in each group will advance to the crossover semifinals.