School suffers second loss in six years!

By Marian C. Baring
Sun.Star
September 7, 2007

Three years after they absorbed their very first setback in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) the ego of the mighty University of the Visayas Green Lancers received another bruise when they fell to the University of San Jose- Recoletos (USJ-R), 84-71, Wednesday night at the University of San Carlos gym.

This is only UV’s second loss in the regular season of the six-year-old league. Despite this, the loss has not tainted UV’s reputation of being the champion for as long as Cesafi exists.

The USJ-R Jaguars won over the Green Lancers early this year, but it was in an off season tournament—the Partner’s Cup. UV got back and won the Cup.

UV head coach Elmer Cabahug brushed aside their Partners Cup loss since “it is not the regular Cesafi season anyway”. Now, UV can not use the off-season card as the Jaguars proved that their previous win was no fluke when they overpowered the Lancers right from the tip off to the finish.

It was by far, the undermanned UV’s most pathetic showing, as it only scored a measly nine points in the opening frame when it faced a very well-prepared USJ-R squad, who scored 23.

The Green Lancers initiated a blistering comeback to chop down USJ-R’s lead to just six at the end of the first half, 32-38, behind the 23 points they scored in this period.

For many, it looked like the trademark comeback of UV, which, after allowing its opponents to dominate the early parts of the match, would detonate a comeback bomb to eventually win the game.

Not this time though.

Devil

As their lead slowly dissipated, the Jaguars, instead of resigning to the fact that UV will eventually win, regrouped during the halftime break and mapped out an assault plan, which included unleashing the devil in sharp shooter Lyndon Gudez.

USJ-R rallied behind Gudez’ assault as he scored 10 of his 22 points in the third to cushion its lead, 66-54, going into the final frame.

UV now had little time to recuperate. Instead of getting back on track, the now overworked UV squad continued to slide as the refreshed and rejuvenated Jaguars went into action posthaste with a 13-9 run, behind a triple and two three-point plays of Gudez.

When the Jaguars were enjoying a 15-point lead, 78-63, the biggest in the game with just three minutes left, UV workhorses Mike Luga, Von Lañete and Rino Berami could only shake their heads in disbelief and frustration.

Gudez led USJ-R as he hoarded 22 markers. Jan Malinao and Bobby Hatague combined for 22 points. Luga led UV with 20, while Lañete and Berami added 19 each.

Despite the loss, UV still remains on top of the eight-team field with 6-1 win-loss slate with USC, which UV defeated. USJ-R is at third place with a 5-2 record. The three teams, together with fourth placer Southwestern University, will enjoy twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round next week.