CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Carlos Warriors gained a certain measure of revenge over their CESAFI rivals Southwestern University after they downed the Cobras, 75-66, in the 10th Asian Universities Basketball Championship (AUBC)-Cebu Province International Collegiate Cup last Thursday night in Dalaguete town south of Cebu.
Playing with vengeance in their minds, the Warriors mounted a huge 21-point lead, 45-24, just 2.6 seconds before halftime when coach Junthy Valenzuela was thrown out of the game with two consecutive technical fouls for excessive complaining.
In protest of a foul called on Shooster Olago against SWU's Anton Pardo, Valenzuela rushed to the center court and argue with the referees resulting to an automatic technical. Out of disgust, he dared the officials to give him one more, which was quickly given to him, thus, he was banished from the playing court.
It turned out to be the longest 2.6 seconds of the night as SWU coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba refused to resume playing upon seeing that Valenzuela was just sitting at the gym's multi-purpose stage. That prompted USC assistant coach Julian Macoy to persuade Valenzuela to just go inside their dressing room and locked himself inside.
After Valenzuela's ejection, the Warriors saw their big lead shrinking slowly by slowly in the face of a spirited SWU rally.
From as high as 24, the Warriors' lead was reduced to just four, 66-70, on Daryl Goloran's basket with still 1:22 left in the contest.
The Warriors, however, fought steadier and did not disintegrate in the closing moments of the game, thanks to Olago's crucial free throws and a three-point play by Ian Tagapan that settled the final outcome for the Carolinians.
Olago charted a game-high 20 points for the Warriors. They also relied on the effective outside shooting of Tagapan and Nico Magat, who chipped in 14 markers apiece as USC nailed its second straight win in as many starts. Bendley Valdor and Landry Sanjo paced the Cobras 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Earlier, the University of the Visayas Green Lancers scored an emphatic 88-68 victory over the Myongji University of South Korea.
Rhaffy Octobre led UV with 14 points. John Michael Abad and Alfred Codilla connived for 25 points for the Lancers, who are now tied with the Cobras on 1-1 slates while handing the visiting Koreans their second straight loss in the five-day tournament organized by Cebu City Sports Commissioner Lorenzo 'Chao' Sy.
The scores
First game
UV (88) – Octobre 14, Abad 13, Codilla 12, Segumpan 10, Napao 9, Akomo 8, Aguirre 6, Soliva 5, Santillan 4, Manzo 4, Oche 1
Myongji (68) – Junsoo 16, Hyusoon 13, Hoyeon 13, Hyunwu 10, Jinwo 7, Kinwan 6, Jueon 2, Jisu 1, Cumwenfi 1
Second game
USC (75) – Olago 20, Magat 14, Tagapan 14, Toyambi 8, Rabat 7, Pepito 4, Laguyo 3, Lim 2, Montalbo 2, Adlawan 2
SWU (66) – Valdor 13, Sanjo 12, Lagbas 11, Luz 10, Goloran 8, Tallo 5, Pardo 5, Bregondo 2 (FREEMAN)