Webmasters eye title clincher; Lancers seek lifeline

The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters train their sights on the coveted champion's trophy, but the task at hand won't be easy for them as the defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers vowed to wage an all-out war in Game 2 of their best-of-three collegiate division finals in the 17th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum today.

Heading into the battle as the underdogs, the Webmasters dropped a bombshell after they outclassed the Lancers, 85-77, in the series opener last Wednesday evening to step on the threshold of ending UV's reign and claiming their first title in six years as well.

Aside from the great efforts of the Cameroonian import Frederick Elombi and combo guard John Calvin Jabello, UC's decorated coach Raul 'Yayoy' Alcoseba credited their victory to their solid defensive wall that kept the Lancers struggling all game long.

"Our defense did it for us. We take pride in our defense. Offense will just come. On offense, you can have bad days, but on defense there is no bad day. There's no bad luck on defense, only poor effort," said Alcoseba, who is gunning for his sixth crown in Cebu's premiere inter-school cage league.

Alcoseba won one title with the University of San Jose- Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, his alma mater, and twice each with the Cebu Doctors' College (now CDU) Stallions and the Southwestern University-Phinma (SWU) Cobras.

Not only that the Webmasters played good defense to dominate the rebounding department, 49-40, they also executed their offense with fluidity as evident in their huge 22-10 lead in assists.

Overall, the Webmasters posted a 54.8 accuracy from the field on a 34-of-62 shooting. In sharp contrast, the Lancers made only 22 out of 46 attempts.

In the first quarter alone, the Webmasters scattered 13 fastbreak points. They followed it up with 13 second chance points in the second period that enabled them to establish as much as 15 points lead in the first half.

The Lancers did come within just a hairline, 67-68, in the closing minutes of the contest but the Webmasters staged a 13-4 spurt to complete their upset. UV did not have a taste of lead even just for one moment after UC got off to a quick 6-2 start.

The momentum may be on their side, but Alcoseba said they still need to make some adjustments even as he also conditions the minds of his wards to prepare for a spirited fightback by the Lancers.

"We will make some adjustments in Game 2, but I'm expecting a very physical game. UV will not give the trophy to us, we have to take it from them. The boys are focused (on that task," said Alcoseba.

The Lancers know very well the kind of situation they are in.

And for coach Gary Cortes, they have no other choice than to fight like there is no tomorrow if they want to extend the series and keep their title retention bid alive.

"They (UC) beat us fair and square. My players lacked that will to win. Also, we were overpowered in terms of hard work and effort," said Cortes in recollecting their previous debacle that saw their 12-game winning run come to a sudden red stop."But Game 2 is another story. We just have to double our efforts and play like there is no tomorrow ."—