The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers solidified their position as a top contender in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) college basketball tournament. On a crucial Wednesday night, December 3, 2025, at the Cebu Coliseum, the defending champions secured a hard-fought 72-63 victory over the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs.
A Battle for Positioning
This pivotal match had significant implications for the final standings. With the win, the UV Green Lancers officially claimed the No. 2 seed heading into the semi-final round. The major benefit of this finish is a coveted twice-to-beat advantage. This means the Green Lancers only need to win one game in their upcoming semi-final series, while their opponents must defeat them twice to advance. Intriguingly, their first semi-final opponent will be the same team they just vanquished: the BC Cheetahs, who fell to the No. 3 spot with a 9-4 win-loss record.
Game Highlights and Key Performers
The game was a tale of shifting momentum. The Cheetahs, under coach BJ Murillo, started strong and managed to build a double-digit lead of 29-18 in the second quarter. However, the resilience of coach Gary Cortes's Green Lancers squad shone through. They mounted a swift comeback, clawing their way back to grab a narrow 36-34 lead by halftime.
The third quarter remained a tight, back-and-forth affair before UV finally managed to create some separation. Their offense clicked at the right moment, extending their lead to 55-47. From that point forward, the Cheetahs struggled to recover, and the Green Lancers maintained control until the final buzzer.
Leading the charge for UV was Kent Ivo Salarda, who delivered a monster performance with 18 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists. He received strong support from Raul Gentallan, who added 17 points. Paul John Taliman contributed 12 points, while Albert Sacayan chipped in 11 points to round out a balanced scoring attack.
For the battling Cheetahs, Serge Gabines top-scored with 14 points. Rick Ogong provided 13 points, and Nichol Cabanero finished with 8 points in the losing effort.
High School Division Update
In the Cesafi high school division action, the Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT-U) Junior Wildcats boosted their semi-final hopes with a convincing 79-64 win over the San Carlos School of Cebu (SCSC) Baby Warriors. The Junior Wildcats completed their single-round elimination assignment with a 7-3 record and now await the results of other games to determine their final seeding for the semis. The Baby Warriors, already eliminated from contention, ended their campaign with a 1-9 record.
Looking ahead, the Cesafi action continues with a slate of games at the USC gym featuring matchups in both the high school and college divisions, setting the stage for an exciting semi-final round.
