UV rallies to beat NU Bulldogs
Games Today (Cebu City Coliseum) 5:15 p.m. - USC vs UV 7 p.m. - SWU vs Arellano
CEBU CITY — University of the Visayas came back from a 17-point second quarter deficit to stun UAAP champion National University, 77-74, for its first win in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Elite Eight Saturday at the Cebu City Coliseum here.
The Green Lancers played listless in the first half, allowing the Bulldogs to take a 32-15 lead. But the hometown squad came back to life behind the efforts of Franz Arong, John Michael Abad and Nigerian center Steve Akomo.
Arong and Abad came through with big shots even as NU began to get frustrated with UV’s physical play. Then, Akomo came through with the key plays down the stretch to lift the Lancers to a thrilling victory.
Akomo’s putback with 1:09 remaining put UV up 74-72, then made a key defensive stop that denied the Bulldogs a tying basket in the final seconds.
NU’s Gelo Alolino was on the verge of scoring a transition layup after a UV turnover but Akomo swatted the ball to the delight of the boisterous crowd.
Raffy Oktubre converted a layup following the block to make it 76-72 for UV with 16.4 seconds to go. The Bulldogs reduced the deficit to 76-74 but failed to regain the possession when the Lancers won a jumpball with five seconds left.
“Nag-focus lang talaga kami sa depensa at nagtiwala ang mga players sa isa’t-isa,” said UV’s interim coach Gary Cortes, who took charge after Donbel Belano was fired following a tumultuous CESAFI season marred by two Lancers engaging in a heated argument during a semifinal game.
Abad finished with 18 points, Arong had 17 markers while Akomo added 14 points for UV, which bounced back from a 74-64 loss to defending national champion La Salle on Friday.
In the second game, NCAA titlist San Beda squandered a double-digit lead before surviving CESAFI runnerup University of San Carlos, 85-75, to open its Elite Eight campaign.
Art dela Cruz scored 23 points, including five straight points that came after the Warriors tied the game at 67all on a three by Francis Arjon with 6:26 left in the fourth.
Baser Amer also came through with key baskets late for the Red Lions, who won under the tutelage of interim mentor Adonis Tierra although former coach Boyet Fernandez took a break from his new role as NLEX tactician in the PBA to act as team consultant.