CEBU, Philippines - After being cleared to play, Cameroonian cager Bendley Valdor swiftly made an impact as he powered the Southwestern University Cobras to an 82-68 conquest of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats in the 14th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament last Tuesday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Valdor finished with 15 points and right rebounds as Southwestern U took the temporary lead with a 2-0 slate. Landy Sanjo added 13 points, while star playmaker Mark Jayven Tallo chipped in 12 markers for the Cobras, who already smelled victory with a 12-point lead, 66-78, with only a minute left to play. They were also ahead by same margin at halftime, 63-51.
Joshua de la Cerna and Allan Dimco each scored 16, while Franklyn Batiquin and Steven Bucao banged in 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the Wildcats, who were sent craching back to earth after a stunning 67-60 win over the defending champion University of the Visayas Green Lancers during the season-opener.
In the juniors division, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Baby Panthers quickly bounced back from a huge loss to Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles and vented their ire on the Cebu Eastern College Dragons, 92-65.
John Bryle Bahio and Obenza paced the Baby Panthers with 18 points each, while John Alocillo, Carl Carbajosa and Clyde Drexley Avancena conspired for 44 points.
The scores
Juniors
USPF (92) - Bahio 18, Obenza 18, Alocillo 17, Carbajosa 15, Avancena 12, Archival 6, De dios 4, Pasios 2
CEC (65) - Mate 16, Alcaraz 10, Leopoldo 9, Cinco 6, Sullano 5, Dellona 5, Empleo 5, Tecson 2, Buli-buli 2, Astillero 2, Orillenada 2
Halftime: 39-28
Seniors
SWU (82) - Valdor 15, Sanjo 13, Tallo 12, Pardo 10, Goloran 9, Parker 5, Labitad 5, Bregondo 5, Luz 4, Holper 3, Lagbas 1
CIT-U (68) - De la Cerna 16, Dimco 16, Batiquin 15, Bucao 11, Taghoy 4, Lucena 4, Kong 2
Halftime: 44-32 (FREEMAN)