Cobras edge Webmasters in overtime to even series

CEBU, Philippines - The Hotel Fortuna-SWU Cobras used a sizzling 11-2 run in overtime to get back at Enervon C/UC Webmasters in Game 2, 107-98, and equalize their best-of-five finals showdown at one game apiece in the 3rd CESAFI Partners’ Cup last Thursday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

With the series now back to square one, hardcourt buffs could expect another suspense-filled action as the two protagonists shoot for a crucial 2-1 lead in today’s Game 3 set at 6 pm still at the Cebu Coliseum.

Moncrief Rogado, who had a beter production than their 99-89 victory in the opener, pushed the Webmasters on top by a hairline 90-89, with 41 seconds left to play, but he missed the most important shot on a runner that eventually cost them the game.

In the regulation period, the Cobras had at least three chances of winning the game outright but Alfred Belande missed a point-blank undergoal stab. Later, Eric Zanoria was fouled by UC’s Kevin Quilantang but just split his charities to tie the count at 90-all.

With the Cobras having the final possession with only 2.5 ticks remaining, SWU’s Clifford Maguate had an open look at the basket but his shot was deflected by UC’s 6-foot-9 tower June Mar Fajardo as the gameclock expired, thus, the five-minute extension.

In the extra period, the Webmasters quickly took a 94-90 edge but it turned out to be the last chapter of their epic story that commenced when they easily overhauled a 17-point deficit, 20-37, midway in second period to wrest the driver’s seat at halftime, 48-44.

After the Cobras locked up the count at 96-all with 1:40 to go, the wards of coach Dodie Miego went on to knock out the Webmasters with a powerful 8-0 blow behind the heroics of Eliud Poligrates and Alfred Belande.

Poligrates charted 29 points he exclamated with a thunderous one-hander slam that sent the Cobras and their throng of spectators into frenzied celebration. Zanoria finished with 24 points, while Chris Litorja, Armecin and Belande conspired for 32 points.

Fajardo and Rogado pumped in 25 and 21 points, respectively, for the Webmasters, while Edward Pao added 14 points in breakout game albeit for a losing cause.

The scores

Hotel Fortuna/SWU (107) - Poligrates 29, Zanoria 24, Litorja 11, Armecin 11, Belande 10, Jalandoni 8, Diango 6, Pacquiao 6, Maguate 2

Enervon/UC (98) - Fajardo 25, Rogado 21, Pao 14, Abella 12, Luceño 10, Juliane 7, Quilantang 3, Gomez 3 Halftime: 44-48 (THE FREEMAN)