CEBU CITY – University of the Visayas got back on the winning track as it survived a huge rally by University of San Jose-Recoletos to win, 70-68, in the Cesafi men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Lancers started strong and led by as many as 22 points, 30-8, in the second quarter before the Jaguars recovered and pulled within two late in the game. But UV got some needed points from John Abad, Alwyn Aguirre and import Jeff Aguara to hack out the win, their second in five games.
The victory enabled the titleholders to move away from the bottom of the standings, which now belong to USJ-R with a 1-3 win-loss card.
Playing with the fire that had been missing in their first four games, UV raced off to a 27-8 lead in the opening period. USJ-R fought back and got to within two, 60-62, after six straight points – a transition bucket by James Regalado, an inside basket and two free-throws by Kevin Villafranca with 2:38 left.
UV’s Alwyn Aguirre responded with an and-one off a putback to push the lead back to five.
After two more free-throws by Villafranca pulled them to within three, Aguara provided the game’s highlight as he soared high, received an alley-oop pass from Abad and slammed it home for a 67-62 lead, 50 ticks left. A putback by Regalado kept USJ-R close but Aguirre kept them at bay with two made free-throws. Baskets by Regalado and Villafranca sandwiched a free-throw by Abad for a 70-68 count.
Abad had 18 points and six rebounds to lead UV while Jean Marie Mpouma added 10. Villafranca scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth to pace USJ-R.
In juniors play, University of Southern Philippines Foundation routed Don Bosco, 91-42, while CIT-U edged University of Cebu, 78-73.
The scores:
Seniors
UV (70) - Abad 18, Mpouma 10, Aguara 10, Arong 9, Octobre 8, Aguirre 8, Marquez 4, Codilla 3, Perolino 0, Soliva 0.
USJ-R (68) - Villafranca 15, Labares 13, Luzoladio-Nzuzi 12, Regalado 9, Suano 5, Catipay 4, Senining 3, Bayhonan 3, Lajato 2, Custan 2, Galvez 0, Navarra 0, Dinolan 0.
Quarterscores: 27-8; 38-23; 53-40; 70-68.
Juniors
CIT-U (78) - Berezo 29, Langres 17, Manatad 13, Faunillan 7, Abinuman 5, Plaza 4, Hapin 2, Pedrosa 1, Acop 0.
UC (73) - Menina 23, Dungog 16, Quiamco 10, Isla 8, Molina 5, Daligdig 4, Gabisan 4, Ramas 3, Canonigo 0, Soco 0, Hemida 0, Ubas 0.
Quarterscores: 24-15; 40-34; 57-52; 78-73.
USPF (91) - Carbajosa 20, Bahio 19, Avanceña 18, Alocillo 12, Obenza 12, Fermin 5, Archival 2, Delos Angeles 2, De Dios 1, Cortes 0, Laudehr 0, Pasios 0.
DBTC (42) - Falcone 8, Asignar 7, De La Torre 6, Adlawan 5, Gabisay 4, Mabitad 3, Saludes 3, Agustinez 2, Macam 2, Duque 1, Jumao-as 0, Villarias 0, Cañoneo 0, Larumbe 0, Cabas 0.
Quarterscores: 20-14; 46-24; 77-29; 91-42.