CEBU, Philippines - The Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras reaffirmed their mastery over the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters via a 91-80 decision during their exhibition match billed as “Match of the Titans” the other night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Prior to that though, the UC College of Law cagers subdued their SWU counterparts, 85-77.
While the Cobras showed proof they are indeed a force to reckon with in the local collegiate hoopdom, the Webmasters showed a certain measure of resilience and fortitude when they quickled wiped out a 12-point deficit, 71-89, to threaten at 85-80 on two successive triples by Moncrief Rogado and Janssen Abella with 17 seconds left to play.
Unfortunately, the Webmasters got their own dose of medicine when Rogado was slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul against Aard Django in the ensuing play.
The Cobras’ victory was marred with controversy when UC’s Fil-Canadian rookie Franz Bernil complained he was hit secretly by Diango after the game - something that was unrecognized by the referees and unnoticed by the crowd who were rushing to the exit door.
Eliud Poligrates, who baffled UC with his impeccable outside shooting, spearheaded SWU’s triumph with 45 points.
Rogado topped the Webmasters with 17 points, while 6-foot-9 behemoth June Mar Fajardo, apparently not at his usual best, just finished with 10 points along with Kelvin Juliane and Kevin Quilantang.
Earlier, Vince Albeos and ex-UC skipper Kenneth Kern Sesante paced the UC College of Law with 20 and 19 points, respectively.
The scores
SWU (91) - Poligrates 45, Pacquiao 10, Gallarde 10, Armecin 8, Diango 6, Pria 6, Ortuyo 3, Jalandoni 2, Caytona 2
UC (80) - Rogado 17, Fajardo 10, Juliane 10, Quilantang 10, Abella 7, Mohammad 5, Tano 5, Luceño 5, Bernil 4, Cayanong 2, Capoy 2 (GGM) (THE FREEMAN)