UV clips USJ-R to bolster twice-to-beat bid

Sports

THE defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers stayed on course for a top two finish in the college division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Season 25 basketball tournament.

The Green Lancers tripped the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 81-68, to earn a share of the lead in what is shaping up to be a tight race for top seedings on Friday night, Nov. 28, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Posting their second win in four days after also defeating the Cebu Institue of Technology-University Wildcats last Tuesday, Nov. 25, 91-82, the Green Lancers tied the University of the Cebu (UC) Webmasters for the No. 1 and 2 spots with identical 10-2 (win-loss) records.

UV and UC are already assured of a spot in the semifinal round but winning their remaining games are still a must for them to earn twice-to-beat bonuses that will be given to the top two seeds in the playoffs.

Paul John Taliman and Raul Gentallan joined forces in leading UV’s fourth straight win with the former finishing with 15 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block and the latter tallying 16 points, two rebounds, two assists, and three steals.

The loss pulled USJ-R down to 6-5 but it remained in the playoff picture. The Jaguars are at fourth spot, just slightly ahead of the University of San Carlos Warriors, who are at fifth place with a 6-6 record.(CCM)