SWU remains unbeaten in Partners' Cup caging

CEBU, Philippines - The Hotel Fortuna/SWU Cobras came up with crucial baskets in the fourth period to repulse the gritty CDO Idol Cheesedog/USPF Panthers, 85-72, and keep their undefeated record intact in the 3rd CESAFI Partner’s Cup last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Cobras, thus, firmed up their grip of the overall lead with an immaculate 4-0 slate.Eric Zanoria ignited the late uprising by the Cobras when he hit back-to-back 3-pointers. Later, Eliud Poligrates, Aard Diango and Alfred Belande joined the scoring parade to finish off the Panthers, who never gave up until the final 8:54 mark of the contest.

The Panthers threatened for the last time at 53-56 on Randy Colonia’s triple but they went to the freezer after that. They closest they could muster was at 45-46 late in the third period on Elwin Durano’s basket, but Poligrates quickly responded with a trey to make it 49-45. The Cobras were in complete command since then.

While the Cobras had a fine shooting night from the field, their inside points proved to be the biggest factor as big man Janno Nuñez topscored with 20 points, while twin towers Ritchie Jalandoni and Clifford Maguate also contributed well in offense.

 Poligrates chipped in 16 points, while Zanoria added 14 markers.

Elvis Labares sparkled with 21 points for the Panthers, who suffered their only second defeat against the same number of wins. Colonia and Renato Gulanes had 14 and 10 points, respectively, for the Panthers.

The game was delayed for nearly one hour because one of the rings had to be replaced after its was broken when Durano hang on to the rim.

As of this writing last night, the Prime Asia/UV Lancers were still slugging it out with Ave Maria Sanctuary Park/USJ-R Jaguars.

The scores

Hotel Fortuna/SWU (85) — Nuñez 20, Poligrates 16, Zanoria 14, Jalandoni 8, Diango 7, Maguate 6, Gallarde 4, Belande 3, Litorja 2, Armecin 2

CDO/USPF (72) — Labares 21, Colonia 14, Gulane 10, Tabada 8, Durano 8, Rivera 7, Sereño 4. Halftime: 38-32 (GGM) (THE FREEMAN)