UV starts 4-peat drive with close win over USPF

Sports

THE University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers battled hard but the defending champions the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers were up to the challenge as they carved out a 74-70 win in the college division of the Cesafi 2025 Season 25 men’s basketball tournament on Thursday night, September 18, at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Green Lancers picked up from where they left off last season, coming up with the hard-earned win to start their bid for a fourth straight championship on a high note.

Ivan Clark Alsola led the way for UV with 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal while AJ Sacayan and last season’s Finals MVP Raul Gentallan added 12 and nine points, respectively.

Keaton Clyde Taburnal scored 15 points, Peter John Peteros and Paolo Dalumpines each had 12 points for the Panthers.

Inspired by the presence of former PBA player Arwind Santos in their bench, the Panthers mounted a big endgame run as they nearly wiped out a 10-point deficit in the final three minutes.

Kent Ivo Salarda saved the day for UV, knocking down a crucial free throw in the dying seconds that kept USPF at bay.

In the high school division, the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu Mandaue (UCLM) Webmasters secured their own rousing start by blasting the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars, 63-53.

Wade Adam Luche put in a double-double game, leading UCLM with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists. He was backed by Noel Lingoste and Rafael Calo, who wound up with 10 markers each.

Krstc Da Silva topped the Baby Jaguars with 12 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Brent Jandy Yanong added nine points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal as USJ-R fell to 1-1 (win-loss).(CCM)