SWU goes 3-0 in Filoil Flying V games

CEBU, Philippines - In an impressive display of overall basketball, the Southwestern University Cobras went to their main man Landry Sanjo and banked on a stingy defense to trounce the University of San Carlos, 79-56, at the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, which kicked off its Cebu leg of games at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex last Wednesday night.

Sanjo had a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds in just 22 minutes of playing time in leading the Cobras to their third straight win in as many start, their its best start in this annual pre-season tournament for college ballclubs.

Sanjo had 11 points in the first quarter where SWU used an 11-0 run to kick off the game. The Cobras never looked back as they posted a 23-6 lead going into the second quarter. The lead increased to 39-23 at halftime with USC failing to find its rhythm. The Cobras stepped on the gas to increase the lead to 70-35 after three periods with Sanjo banging in 12 points in the quarter against the interior defense of the Warriors.

So dominating was Sanjo, who shot 80 percent from the field on 12 out of 15 shooting. He missed only two shots from close range on top of an ill-advised attempt from the three point line.

The Cobras’ defense was also a big factor, limiting USC to 38 percent shooting from the field. Macmac Tallo added 12 points to support Sanjo, while JR Parker dished off 10 boards and seven assists on top of five points. Espoir Toyambi led USC with 12 points.

The Cobras are now on top of  Group A with a 3-0 slate. They will face UAAP champions De La Salle University (DLSU) and defending Filoil Flying V champion University of the East (UE) over the weekend. The top two of the group qualify for the knockout stage.

In the preliminary exhibition game in the high school division, USC stopped Cebu Eastern College, 85-51. Baron Ronquillo and Ian de la Cruz had 20 and 19 points, respectively, to lead the Baby Warriors. Lance Alcaraz led CEC with 11.

The Cebu leg of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup will have the three Cebu-based teams SWU, USC, and UV face off against DLSU and UE in Group A games. (FREEMAN)