Seven-for-seven in '07

By Marian C. Baring
Sunstar
October 13, 2007

The University of Visayas needed its little-known Lancers to put up a gallant stand against the University of San Carlos Warriors in the sudden death Game 5 to clinch its seventh straight Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Basketball title with an astounding 82-71 win.

Lancer mentor Elmer “Boy” Cabahug pulled out Sylvester Tancongco and Harlow Villanil out from their usual supporting roles to offset the Warriors big fighting heart.

Rookie Tancongco peppered the USC defense with 12 markers and capped his all-around performance with a rejection on the defensive end, while finishing a breakaway in one play.

Villanil, who finished with 10 points, on the other hand, doused USC’s hope to claw back into the game with a lay up and a booming 3-pointer for a 60-42 count nearing the final period.

Cabahug had Bonifer Sendrijas as part of his secret weapon that limited the MVP Enrico Llanto to just 12 points.

“They are my secret weapons. Sendrijas defended Llanto last year when we defeated them in the finals. It had worked then, that’s why I put it into play again tonight,” said Cabahug.

Cabahug added that he only took advantage of Tancongco, the Cagayan de Oro recruit, in the final and most crucial game because he seemed jittery in the early parts of the season.

Talented

“I know how talented he was that was why I made him dictate the game and he clicked and he was responsible for the big lead in the first half,” Cabahug said.

“I was pressured because coach gave me a responsibility but I am happy that he gave me playing time and my teammates were very supportive of me,” said Tancongco.

The seven-time champion coach said that their victory was a fitting birthday gift to UV owner and congressman Eddie Gullas, who celebrated his birthday yesterday.

The Lancers managed to put up a confident lead at halftime, 40-18. The Warriors, however, came out blazing in the third canto, when they opened the period with an 11-2 run to ultimately end the period with 27 points.

Still, the Warriors were behind, 45-60, going into the closing period and the Lancers protected their lead to continue their dominance Cebu’s collegiate basketball.

Meanwhile, former USC athletic director Fr. Vic Uy took time out from his Philippine Sports Commission duties to be at the sideline with his Warriors on their most important game of the year.

“Well done! They did very good. Winning would have been a bonus but they did very well,” said Uy, who flew back to Manila after the game.

In the jam-packed and emotional game, Commisisoner Felix Tiukinhuy and USC coach Jay Ramirez figured in a word war after the latter complained of the calls in favor of the Lancers. Tiukinhoy said that it was a fair game.

Ramirez and his assistant Mike Reyes, however, saw otherwise as USC got clobbered without a whistle. At one instance, Niño Ramirez got clawed in the left shoulder by Ritchum Dennison, which left huge red marks, but it was Niño, who was called for a foul instead.