The Asian College of Technology (ACT) Cyber Knights snatched their second straight victory, while the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras bounced back from a previous setback with aplomb in the 1st M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Summer Basketball Challenge last Wednesday at the Cebu Coliseum.
The ACT Cyber Knights used a decisive opening attack to demolish the Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Skyblazers, 88-76 and take the temporary led with a clean 2-0 slate, while the SWU Cobras barged into the win column with a 77-75 squeaker over the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors.
The Cyber Knights opened the game with a 30-17 bang that left the Skyblazers groping for form the rest of the way.
The Skyblazers pulled within 61-69 at the end of the third period, but the sprited Cyber Knights charged back in the final stretch to quash SCSIT’s comeback attempt.
Later in the day, the Cobras raced to a sizzling 28-19 start, but the Warriors retaliated in the second quarter to chop the deficit down to only three points at halftime, 43-46.
The two protagonists figured in an air-tight battle from thereon, but the Cobras, the reigning National Students Basketball champions, kept their poise and composure at crunchtime to hang on to a three-point win.
Clifford Maguate topped the Cobras with 17 points, while Eric Zanoria and Alfred Belande banged in 13 markers apiece.
The scores
First game
ACT (88) - Vistal 29, Nunez 23, Pontemayor 9, Suico 7, Batiancila 7, Cadis 5, Doy 3, Valencia 2
SCSIT (76) - Calma 16, Gabica 14, Amarado 13, J. Tampus 11, Tampus 7, Jabadan 4, Rabayan 4, De la Vega 3, Aribal 2, Bacayo 2
Quarterscores:30-17, 52-41, 69-61, 88-76
Second game
SWU (77) - Maguate 17, Zanoria 13, Belande 13, Armecin 12, Diango 6, Poligrates 4, Kwong 4, Litorja 3, Canonigo 2,Ceniza 2
USC (75) - Padillo 19, Cortes 10, Blanes 7, San Juan 6, Hermosa 6, Bercede 5, Bautista 4, Igao 4, Bakker 3, Otida 2, Gallarde 2
Quarterscores: 28-19, 46-43, 64-57, 77-75