Defending CESAFI champions SWU Cobras survive USPF Panthers

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Defending champions Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras proved it will not easily relinquesh its Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) title by surviving the fast game employed by the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 86-76, August 8, Thursday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Jesse Bautista’s two straight baskets in the opening minutes of the ballgame was a sign it was going to be his night as he went on to lead the Cobras with 27 points, 17 rebounds and two assists. He also sank 15 of his 17 free throw attempts.

Bautista scored 10 of his 27 points in the first quarter alone including 5 charities.

From a 5-point deficit in the first quarter, 14-19, the Panthers wer able to tie the game at 22-all on the combined efforts of Winston Bolivar and Roy Quiachon still halfway before the halftime break.

In the return play, last season’s MVP Mark Jayven Tallo then pulled the Cobras up by two points. A trey from Antonio Tomas Pardo further put the Cobras ahead at 28-24.

The Panthers took the lead with less than 3 minutes remaining in the first half on the basket of Brantford Borces.

Bautista struck again with his charities and with the help of Tallo allowed the Cobras to hold on to a one-point lead as the minutes counted down.

A basket by Bolivar once again gave the Panthers the upperhand, and this time they held on the lead via a triple from Mhike Patalinghug to end the second quarter in their favor, 42-41.

The third quarter saw pretty much the same story as in the second with both teams exchanging leads several times except at the end when the Cobras wer able to wrestle back the lead, 63-60, going into the fourth quarter.

The Panthers tried to take advantage of the seemingly tiring Cobras, who only had 9 players in its line-up due to academic ineligibility. But USPF did not succeed as SWU surged past with a 7-point lead, 70-63, which was sparked by a triple from Pardo and followed by a basket each from Tallo and Jovanie Luz.

Karl Langahin and Kino Matthews Bajamunde kept the Panthers close but the Cobras showed they are not easily rattled as they ended the ballgame with a 10-point advantage, 86-76.

While the Cobras improved its record to 2-1, the Panthers suffered its third straight loss.

Baby Lancers blast Greywolves by 39

In the junior competition, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers also had a field day with a huge 76-37 win over the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Greywolves.

The Baby Lancers, who led by as much as 42 points, 66-24, early in the final canto had Raul Jancork Cabahug as the top scorer with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 steals.

The Baby Lancers, now enjoying a 2-1 win-loss record, currently share second place in the standings with the USPF Baby Panthers.

The Greywolves, on the other hand, drop to the bottom rung with 3 straight losses in as many games.

DBTC has a chance to nail its first win this weekend as it goes up against USPF.

Games Schedule:

Saturday, August 15 at Cebu Coliseum:

1 pm – USPF vs DBTC (Juniors)
2:30 pm– CITU vs UC (Juniors)
4 pm – SHS-AdC vs UV (Juniors)
5:30 pm – CITU vs UC (Seniors)

Scores:

First Game: (Juniors)

UV (76) – Ra. Alforque 15, Cabahug 12, Saliot 9, Oche 7, Amistoso 6,
Ro. Alforque 6, Membrano 5, Evardo 4, Paraldo 4, Valenzuela 4, Yerro
2, Maglasang 2, Balazuela 0, Laurente 0, Padilla 0.

DBTC (37) – Macam 14, Ciabo 6, De La Torre 5, Jumao-as 4, Sta. Cruz 3,
Lim 3, Duque 1, Gabisay 1, Larumbe 0, Adlawan 0, Saludes 0, Cañoneo 0,
Quieta 0.

Quarter Scores: 21-5; 30-13; 58-22; 76-37.

Second Game: (Seniors)

SWU (86)  – Bautista  27, Pardo 21, Tallo 18, Luz 10, Auditor 6, Racho
4, Clam 0, Holper 0, Gonzaga 0.

USPF (76) – Bajamunde 15, Borces 14, Patalinghug 12, Langahin 9,
Quiachon 6, Avanceña 5, Bolivar 5, Sastrillas 3, Cando 3, Alocillo 2,
Colina 2, Villamor 0, Laver 0.

Quarter Scores: 19-14; 42-41; 63-60; 86-76.