Cobras march into CESAFI Partners' Cup semis

CEBU, Philippines -  As expected, topseed Hotel Fortuna/SWU Cobras met little resistance from the eight-ranked Virginia/CIT Wildcats to hack out a 82-59 demolition and advance into the semifinals of the 3rd CESAFI Partners’ Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Cobras, thus, will face next the winner of the other quarterfinal battle between the Prime Asia/UV Lancers and the CDO Idol/USPF Panthers, which was still complete as of this writing last night.

Cobras' coach Alejandrito "Dodie" Miego wisely spared most of his starting unit in preparation of a tougher battle ahead, which is most likely a second meeting with the Lancers.

SWU’s second stringers delivered the goods because from a shaky 54-50 edge late in the third period, the lead suddenly ballooned to 23 points.

Clifford Maguate, one of SWU’s big men, sit out because of a minor injury but is expected to suit up on Thursday against the Lancers.

Eliud Poligrates and Janno Nuñez both finished with 14 points each for the Cobras, while Alfred Belande added 11 points.

The Wildcats, who were limited to just nine points in the second period, were led by Sherwin Resilla with 41 points but there was no Sherwin Abobo to bail them out. The rest of the Wildcats could not score more than five points.

The scores

Hotel Fortuna/SWU (82) — Poligrates 14, Nuñez 14, Belande 11, Diango 8, Pria 7, Litorja 6, Zanoria 6, Gianchan 5, Pacquiao 4, Armecin 4, Jalandoni 3

Virginia/CIT (59) — Resilla 41, Cañete 5, Cabañero 4, Molero 4, Regis 3, Lopez 2. – GGM (THE FREEMAN)