Cobras survive Lancers; Warriors outgun Koreans

CEBU, Philippines - The Southwestern University Cobras and the University of San Carlos Warriors pulled off contrasting victories at the start of the five-day 10th Asian Universities Basketball Championship (AUBC)-Cebu Province International Collegiate Cup at the Don Celestino Martinez Sr. Memorial Coliseum the other night in Bogo City.

The Cobras, the newly-crowned Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) collegiate basketball champions, went through some scary moments before edging out the University of the Visayas Green Lancers by the slimmest of margins, 61-60, while the Warriors came back from a 19-point deficit in the first quarter to frustrate Myongji University of South Korea, 84-78.

It was Daryl Goloran who sank the go-ahead basket for the Cobras, 61-59, in the final 41 seconds of the contest.               In the ensuing play, Leonard Santillan drew a foul from Landry Sanjo, but the Lancers' stumbled in their bid to extend the game into overtime as Santillan only made one foul shot with only 31 seconds to play.

The Lancers had another opportunity to forge a five-minute extension, but Francisco Arong and John Michael Abad couldn't make one good offensive in their final possession.

Landry Sanjo paced the Cobras with 15 points, while back-to-back CESAFI MVP Mark Jayven Tallo and Daryl Goloran banged in 13 and 10 markers, respectively.

Cris Perolino finished with 14 points and Steve Cedrick Akomo scored 13 in his comeback game for the Lancers, who lost a 10-point lead twice, the last was at 46-36.

In the main game, the Warriors suffered a huge 11-30 deficit early on, but staged a furious comeback

in the second quarter to forge a 38-all deadlock at halftime.

The visiting Koreans had their last taste of lead at 78-76 with still 2:18 remaining as import Shooster Olago made back-to-back hits to wrap up the match for USC.

Olago had a scintillating 39-point performance for the Warriors, who also drew 23 points combined from Victor Rabat and Espoir Toyambi.

The scores

First game

SWU (61) — Sanjo 15, Tallo 13, Goloran 10, Parker 8, Pardo 8, Bukko 6, Bregondo 2, Acuno 2.

UV (60) — Perolino 14, Akomo 13, Manzo 7, Arong 6, Oche 5, Santillan 4, Segumpan 4, Soliva 2, Codilla 2, Abad 2, Octobre 2.

Second game

USC (84) — Olago 39, Rabat 12, Toyambi 11, Asuincion 6, Pepito 5, Adlawan 4, Laude 4, Tagapan 2, Laguyo 2.

Myongji (78) — Jinsoo 17, Kinwa 15, Hoycen 13, Kisuang 8, Juen 7, Ayosoun 5, Meojin 5, Kiyong 4, Jisu 2, Jinuo 1. (FREEMAN)