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By Krista Angela M. Montealegre, Reporter
CEBU CITY: University
of Visayas (UV) waxed hot in the second half to beat Southwestern
University (SWU) 89-69 Friday night and forge a titular showdown
with Huaquiao University of China in the 6th Asian University
Basketball Championship at the Cebu Coliseum.
Guards Phil Mercader, Richum Dennison, and Chris
Diputado carried the fight for the Lancers, combining for five
3-pointers to break away from a 36-34 halftime score.
Mercader, who was a non-factor in the Green
Lancers’ three wins, redeemed himself and scored 10 of his 12
points in the decisive third quarter where the Lancers outscored
the Cobras 31-19.
Dennison, who was almost flawless from the
field, fired a game-high 17 points which included a couple of
slashing drives to the basket against the outstretched arms of the
Cobras’ big men.
Diputado also played big for the Green Lancers
with his 14-point output.
The three guards fueled a 23-8 run that gave the
UV a 63-46 advantage in the third canto when Green Lancers main man
Gregory Slaughter was benched after committing his third foul.
When Slaughter came back in the fourth quarter,
the 6’11 Fil-Am finished what his teammates have started,
asserting his domination in the paint by scoring eight points.
Slaughter got into foul trouble in the first
quarter and did not play in the entire second quarter. But SWU
failed to capitalize on this as the Green Lancers kept the game
close with reserves Adrian Lao and Jun Lasala stepping up and
turning in eight points apiece.
Ritchie Jalandoni and Eric Zanoria finished with
10 points each for the Cobras, who won the National Students
Basketball Championships title over the Lancers early this year.
SWU will try to salvage third place against Han
Yang University of Korea, which bowed to Huaquiao University in the
other semis match Thursday.
“Iilan lang ang outside shooters nila compared
sa Korea, wala silang low-post threat kaya tingin ko pwedeng maging
Great Wall ulit si Slaughter against China,” said UV coach Boy
Cabahug said.
Incidentally, Huaquiao suffered its only loss
against UV, 67-63, and Cabahug is confident about the Green
Lancers’ chances against China.
“Nung natalo kami sa UL [University of Luzon],
sobra ‘yung kumpiyansiya ng mga players. Natutuhan nila ngayon na
every game is important talaga,” Cabahug said.
The eight-day tournament is sponsored by
Burlington, Wilson, Everlast, Summit Mineral Water, Philippine Star
and Fortuna Hotel.
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