USC loses, but wins over SWU: Tiukinhoy forfeits Cobras' victory in favor of the Warriors due to technicalities

CEBU, Philippines - After all, it's still the topseed University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and the fourth-ranked University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors who will be locking horns in the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) collegiate basketball semifinals starting this Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

4:30 pm UV vs. CIT (Jrs.)

6 pm UV s. USJ-R (Srs.)

The Warriors lost to Southwestern University (SWU) in their sudden-death playoff last Tuesday night, 66-74, but won the match on technicalities as CESAFI commissioner Felix O. Tiukinhoy, Jr. forfeited the Cobras' victory in favor of USC for fielding in three suspended players namely Eliud Poligrates, Rene Pacquiao and Jefferson Pria.

On the Warriors' side, they did not defy the suspension of Paul Norman Joven, who was among the four players banned for one game by Tiukinhoy for violating the CESAFI house rules when they played in other leagues while the season is not yet over.

Despite Tiukinhoy's order, SWU of coach Dodie Miego fielded in Poligrates, Pacquiao and Pria. The SWU management reasoned out that it was not the fault of their players when they saw action in other leagues believing that their season was already over following their 72-80 loss to the Warriors last October 4.

As far as Tiukinhoy is concerned, there's no more reconsideration or whatsoever in his decision as they are running out of time.

Besides, the league's by-laws clearly stipulates that all athletes are prohibited from participating in other tournaments while the CESAFI season is still going on.

With Poligrates, Pacquiao and Pria around, the Cobras were in full command of the match although the Warriors pulled within a hairline, 44-45, on a three-point play by Gene Noel Gallarde with 6:47 to in the third period.

All of a sudden though, Chris Litorja's own version of a three-point play gave the Cobras a 59-47 lead towards the end of that stretch and they never looked back from there onwards.

Poligrates, who allegedly used the name J. Mangubat in his jersey during a game in Brgy. Kalunasan, paced the Cobras with 24 points, while Pacquiao and Litorja scored 15 and 12, respectively.

       Gallarde topscored for the Warriors with 12 points followed by Michael Cantonao with 11.

Meanwhile, eight-time champion UV Green Lancers steps on the crucial stage of their title-retention bid as they battle the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in Game 1 of the best-of-three semifinal series.

UV will be playing without star player Eulogio Lasala, Jr., who was slapped with a five-game suspension by Tiukinhoy for not showing up in the Slam Dunk contest during last Sunday's CESAFI All-Star Games at the Cebu Coliseum.

The scores

SWU (74) - Poligrates 24, Pacquiao 15, Litorja 12, Armecin 8, Gallarde 5, Diango 4, Pria 2, Palileo 2    

USC (Srs.) (66) –     Gallarde 12, Cantonao 11, Padillo 9, Cortes 9, Hermosa 5, Bakker 5, Codilla 5, Bautista 3, Vitug 2, Otida 2, Duran 2, Panerio 2, Bercede 1 Halftime: 43-35 (FREEMAN NEWS)