UCMN, defending champ UV post twin wins in early Cesafi action

University of Cebu (UC) Main Webmasters and defending champions University of Visayas (UV) Green Lancers posted wins in the senior division of the Cesafi Season 25 men’s basketball tournament, fending off comeback attempts from the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, respectively, at the Cebu Coliseum, September 20.

UC opened strong and weathered a gritty USC comeback to post a 55-42 victory, their second straight win of the tournament.

Team captain John Carl Angelio delivered an all-around effort to earn Player of the Game honors with eight points, 11 rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

The Warriors sliced a five-point deficit to one in the third quarter before Neon Chavez’s key steal set up Luther Leonard’s clinching layup with 16 seconds left.

Reigning titlists UV kept their crown defense intact by fending off a furious USJ-R rally for a 66-62 decision and a matching 2-0 record.

Raul Gentallan powered the Green Lancers with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal, including a pivotal running layup in the third that helped steady UV heading into the final stretch.

The Jaguars mounted a 10-0 burst to pull within 59-60 late, but the Green Lancers held firm to close out the win.

Both teams now shift focus to their next assignments, with UV facing USC on September 23.