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Visayas is set to conquer Manila.

University of Visayas showed no signs of breakdown against hard-fighting STI College, after winning a finals slot in the Flying V 5th National Collegiate Champions League last November 26, 2007 with an easy 80-71 victory at the Arena in San Juan City.

The Green Lancers, relying heavily on their heft and size, controlled the game from start to finish. And the Olympians could do nothing but go for the consolation prize – a third place finish also before the finals game on November 26 against fellow semi final loser UST.

“I think this is the biggest achievement so far for us,� said UV head coach Elmer ‘Boy’ Cabahug, who also played for the PBA in the 80’s and late 90’s. “Our last highest achievement here in this tournament is third place when we beat PCU.�

6-foot-7 center Rino Berame, paced the UV Green Lancers with 21 points on a 7-of-9 shooting from the field and making 7-of-9 free throws along with 17 rebounds and 4 blocks, was simply unstoppable in the paint.

Berame tallied eight points in the last quarter, with a three-point play with 1:15 minutes to go, handed the Green Lancers their biggest edge, 76-66, and followed it up with a strong put back for a safe 78-66 lead heading towards the final 40 seconds. From there, the UV Green Lancers left the STI Olympians in tatters.

Power forward Michael Luga, cashed in for 20 points on a 10-of-15 shooting from the field mostly in the shaded lane, scored on two three-point plays in the 2nd period for a 32-24 lead with 3:21 minutes to go before halftime.

“They did not give up the fight easily despite the fact that we’re controlling everything,� said Luga, who also grabbed 12 rebounds. “They are real warriors, but we have to prove ourselves why we are here in Manila.�

Berame’s lay up against 2 to 3 STI defenders gave UV a comfortable 55-46 lead with 21 seconds left in the third period before Dexter Micutuan, who led STI with 25 points, hit a long three-pointer to trim down the gap to start of fourth period, 49-55.

The Olympians refused to give up the fight when they narrowed the deficit to 61-68 with 5 minutes left after Micutuan’s lay up. But that’s as close as they can get, as Berame and guard Von Lanete kept scorching from every corner.

Lanete, brother of basketball players Garvo and Chico, had 14 points – 7 points in the last quarter – and 4 assists, while fellow UV teammate Ariel Medana chipped in 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Despite the Green Lancers’ 31 turnovers with 21 TO points fro the Olympians, University of Visayas stayed ahead in the game because of its hot shooting percentage - 31-out-of-66 47% against 30-out-of-77 39%.

UV took a 20-14 lead in first quarter lead and STI College evened its scoring in the second and third quarters (18-18 and 17-17). The Green Lancers outgunned the Olympians in the final period, 25-22, to secure the victory.

“The key to this victory is our defense despite this very physical game,� said Cabahug. “We just have to maintain that intensity to have a chance at the title.�

UV, as expected, dominated the rebounding department, 57-32, and got more assists (19-13) and blocks (10-3).

“Coach is giving us effective plays in every practice,� said Berame. “We just need to execute well in every game. There’s nothing new.�

Meanwhile, Rino Berame is leading the statistical race with 166 points, followed by Ateneo’s Nonoy Baclao (126) and UST’s Dylan Ababou (104).

Individual scores:

UV 80–Berame 21, Luga 20, Lanete 14, Mepaña 10, Diputado 7, Dennison 5, Slaughter 3, Villanil 0, Sendrijas 0.

STI 71–Micutuan 25, Tiongco 8, Porto 8, Flor 8, Balneg 8, Cabangon 6, Mendoza 4, Tolentino 2, Mabayo 2, Dimas 0.

Quarter scores: 20-14, 38-32, 55-49, 80-71

Tags: CCL, CCL-2007, CNC, Collegiate-National-Championships, Green-Lancers, News, Olympians, STI, University-of-Visayas, UV

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