CESAFI: USPF closes first round with win over SWU

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers ended the first round of the CESAFI basketball tournament with a 2-4 win-loss record after shutting out the once powerhouse Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras, 80-71, on Thursday, August 31 at the New Cebu Coliseum.

USPF’s junior team had a different fate as the Baby Panthers continue to languish in the cellar as the only team remaining which has yet to win a game after bowing to the Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC) Greywolves, 77-86, in the game earlier.

The Panthers rank 5th at the end of the first round while the Cobras are at an unfamiliar place at 6th with their 1-5 card.

Both teams though still have a chance to rally as the second round of eliminations begins Sunday, September 3. But they have put themselves in a situation wherein they must win all their remaining games.

The Panthers received much help from Lyndon Colina who finished with 18 points while Edwin Villarta’s 13 points also helped in giving the Panthers their second win of the season.

The Cobras, on the other hand, had 3 players scoring in double figures. Jobanie Luz finished with 15 points while Edmundo Bayhonan and Daryl Nazareno each chipped in 13 points.

The Panthers took advantage of the Cobras who had a lackluster performance from the start of the ballgame as evidenced by the 14 points lead that the Panthers were able to erect at the end of the first quarter, 25-11.

The Cobras were no better in the second quarter as the Panthers continued to hold them at a far distance and even stretched their lead to 16 points, 46-30, at the halftime break.

The Cobras were looking like the powerhouse team that they used to be in the third quarter when they sparked a rally but the most that they could muster was to get close at just 5 points behind.

They failed to sustain the rally in the final canto and allowed the Panthers to pull away by as much as 15 points again en route to the win.

In the high school contest, 5 Greywolves made an impact by scoring in double figures. The scoring spree was led by Grenald Malubay with 19 points, Christian Joseph Boyboy with 18 points, Juan Miguel Dela Torre with 13 points, Jomari James Ranuco with 12 points and Joshua Siona with 10 points.

Winston Jay Ynot once again topscored for the Baby Panthers with 26 points but for a losing cause. Also contributing much were Giovanni Amida with 15 points and Kyle Niño Ochavo with 10 points.

Games Saturday, September 2

1 pm – DBTC vs USJR (High School)

2:30 pm – USC vs UV (High School)

4 pm – CEC vs UC (High School)

5:30 pm – USC vs USJR (College)  

 

Scores

High School

DBTC Greywolves (86) – Malubay 19, Boyboy 18, Dela Torre 13, Ranuco 12, Siona 10, Macam 8, Damolo 6. 

USPF Baby Panthers (77) – Ynot 26, Amida 15, Ochavo 10, Isabelo 7, Arboleras 3, F.E. Singson 6, Maglasang 4, Achacoso 3, Hernando 3.   

College

USPF Panthers (80) – Colina 18, Villarta 13, Patanlinghug 9, Quiachon 9, Cauba 8, Cuyos 7, Mangyao 4, Tenebroso 4, Batac 3, Cada 3, Meca 2.

SWU Cobras (71) – Luz 15, Bayhonan 13, Nazareno 13, Polican 8, Fernandez 6, Molina 5, Racho 4, Delos Santos 3, Roncal 2, Bilao 2. – Rappler.com