Baby Lancers fall in historic bid

The University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers faltered in their quest for history after they suffered a gut-wrenching 61-90 loss to Chiang Kai Shek College (CKSC) Dragons in their lopsided semifinal match in the 6th Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship (PSSBC) Dickies Underwear Cup yesterday at the SGS Stadium in Quezon City.

Unlike their previous three games where they immediately jumped the gun on their Manila rivals, the reigning Cebu School Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Juniors champion got off to a tentative start this time, and worse couldn't hit back at every offensive bullet spewed at them by the firebreathing Dragons from the outset.

As a result, the Baby Lancers were down by 15 points, 30-45, entering the locker room.

Despite having injuries, All-Star center Jancork Cabahug and promising wingman Justin Jake Rosete were purposely fielded in by UV coach Gerald Ylaya in the third period but they couldn't make a difference for the struggling Baby Lancers as the Dragons grew even hotter as the game progressed to blow up their lead to 53-33.

The Baby Lancers failed to climb out of that deep hole and in the process fell short of their mission to become the first provincial team to clinch the championship of the annual high school league since its inception in 2012.

The setback relegated the UV bantams to just a battle for third place against the National University (NU) Bullpups, who got ousted by the San Beda College (SBC) Red Cubs via a close 78-76 decision in the other Final Four match.

(EBV)