CEBU, Philippines - The Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras had a sluggish start, but launched a blazing offensive in the second quarter then held off the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) to a paltry four points in third en route to a 69-49 blowout of the Jaguars in the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Cameroonian enforcer Landry Sanjo tossed in 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Monbert Arong and Bernie Bregondo scattered 12 and 10 markers, respectively, as defending champion Southwestern U careened gently to its fourth straight semifinal victory and 10th overall this season.
The Jaguars, who crashed to their fourth loss in as many starts, actually got off to a hot 13-4 start, but they held on to the lead for the last time at 22-14 as the Cobras retaliated with a punishing 15-0 blow to wipe out the deficit and gain a seven-point headway, 29-22, with 2:29 to go before halftime.
After closing the first half at 32-26, the Cobras handcuffed the Jaguars to only four points in the third canto on the way to post an imposing 23-point bulge, 53-40, heading into the last 10-minute mark of the contest.
USJ-R's Miguel Tabaloc and Rendell Senining opened the fourth period with back-to-back treys, but Arong scored six straight points and Mohammed Adam sank a 3-pointer in a 9-1 blitz that gave the Cobras their largest lead at 26 points, 63-37, with 4:58 left to play. The rest, they say, was history as the Cobras virtually assured themselves of a finals berth most probably against bitter rivals University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers.
Meanwhile, exciting games in the juniors division are up today featuring the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons versus the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors at 5 pm and the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles opposite the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers at 6:45 pm.
Tied with 3-1 win-loss records, CEC and SHS-AdC need only one more win to ensure another dream final showdown. They last met in the championship two years ago in which the Dragons went on to bag a historic crown that transformed their status from perennial 'whipping boys' to emerging hardcourt power. (FREEMAN)