The Asian College of Technology (ACT) Cyber Knights recorded what is by far the biggest upset in the 1st M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Summer Basketball Challenge as they vanquished the reigning National Students Basketball Championships titlist Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, 92-88, the other day at the Cebu Coliseum.
The stunning victory served strong notice of the Cyber Knights’ serious title campaign despite they’re considered among the tournament underdogs.
That lowly billing wasn’t evident as the Cyber Knights was in complete command of the match, closing the first half with a 43-37 edge before padding its lead to a dozen points, 66-54, going into the payoff period.
With their pride smitten, the Cobras staged a last ditch 34-26 rally in the windup, but that was already too late as the Cyber Knights have already piled up enough points to secure the marginal win.
Earlier, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars bounced back from their opening day loss and unleashed their wrath on the Don Bosco College Greywolves, 98-79.
The Jaguars launched an unforgiving offensive at the outset to batter the Greywolves in the first two quarters, 51-37. After toning down in the third, the Jaguars went back to usual business and closed the match with a 26-19 bang to seal the 19-point cakewalk.
The scores
First game
USJ-R (98) - Justiniani 16, Amores 13, Delfino 9, Ponce 9, Pateño 9, Gudez 9, Pogoy 7, Malinao 7, Bibera 6, Gabas 5, Senining 4, De la Peña 2
Don Bosco (79) - Lumapas 21, Aldave 15, Perturbos 13, De los Santos 7, De la Rama 6, Enterina 6, Colegado 4, Alvarez 3, Caballero 2, Tecson 2
Quarterscores:26-21, 51-37, 72-60, 98-79
Second game
ACT (92) - Nuñez 26, Vistal 24, Pontemayor 9, Batiancila 8, Suico 7, Albillaro 7, Cadiz 2, Doy 2
SWU (88) - Zanoria 23, Belande 15, Litorja 12, Maguate 10, Diango 9, Jalandoni 6, Canonigo 6, Armecin 3, Escover 2, Divinagracia 2
Quarterscores:21-20, 43-37, 66-54, 92-88