Warriors gain new lifeline

Laguyo, Catapusan the heroes as USC stuns UV to stay alive in CESAFI finals Flashy playmaker Gio Laguyo and All-Star MVP Condrad Catapusan made crucial hits when it mattered most to lift the University of San Carlos Warriors to a moraleboosting 56-52

Laguyo finished with only eight points, while Catapusan scored just four but their endgame heroics spelled the difference as the Warriors lived and fight for another day in pursuit of a landmark back-to-back crowns.

The Warriors are still down at two games to one, but they can equalize the series if they pull off a repeat performance over the Lancers in Game 4 scheduled at 5:30 p.m. this Saturday.

The Lancers were on the verge of a three-game sweep with a 49-52 lead at the final 1:33 mark of the contest but that proved to be their last gasp of breath

EDITOR: as they wilted under a renewed challenge by the Warriors.

After Laguyo scored on a barreling drive to knot the count at 52-all with 51 seconds left to play, USC's 6-foot-8 Congolese import Scory Ntumba swatted away a potential game-tying jumper by UV forward Jan Monic Soliva.

ASST. EDITOR:

Laguyo picked up the loose ball, then wisely made a beautiful lob pass leading to a breakaway layup by Catapusan that put back USC on top, 5452, with 10.4 ticks left in the gameclock.

The comeback hopes of the Lancers eventually vanished in thin air after veteran pointguard Alfred Codilla was whistled for an offensive foul with only four seconds to go.

In an attempt to buy time, the Lancers quickly fouled Laguyo, who calmly sank his pressurepacked free throws to seal the deal for the Warriors with three seconds remaining.

Victor Rabat was the lone double-digit scorer for USC with 12 points. Malcolm Tan and Ian Tagapan connived for 14 points for the Warriors, whose victory kept the historic double championship bid of coach Rommel Rasmo alive.

Last week, Rasmo steered the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles to a groundbreaking four-peat in the juniors division.

No coach has ever guided a high-school and collegiate teams to championship titles in the same season in the annals of CESAFI. Coach Rasmo remains on course to accomplish that feat.

The Lancers, on the other hand, will give it another try as they gun for their first title in three years and 11th overall since 2000.