University of the Visayas moved onto the threshold of claiming its ninth consecutive title after routing University of Cebu, 81-67, in Game 3 of their CESAFI basketball finals series Tuesday night at the New Cebu City Coliseum.

The 6-foot-11 Fil-American Greg Slaughter, a member of the Smart Gilas national team, endured another hard-fought duel with 6-foot-10 Junmar Fajardo to finish with 22 points as the Green Lancers can clinch the series with a win in Game 4, being played as of presstime.

Another win by the Boy Cabahug-mentored squad will earn them the last outright spot in the Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Championships League set to start November 23.

Already earning berth are UAAP champion Ateneo, NCAA titlist San Sebastian, University of the East, San Beda, Far Eastern University, Jose Rizal University, University of Santo Tomas, and Letran College.

Fajardo, being eyed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for a spot in its national squad, finished with 24 points in a losing cause for the Webmasters, who hope to force a pivotal fifth game.