CEBU, Philippines - Cameroonian reinforcement Steve Cedrick Akomo unloaded all of his 15 points in the final half, including 10 in a decisive third-quarter assault that spurred the University of the Visayas Green Lancers to a 57-48 triumph over their perennial rivals Southwestern University Cobras in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Asserting his dominance at the post with authority against the import-less and undermanned Cobras, Akomo also pulled down 17 rebounds, while flashy pointguard June Kent Manzo nailed 11 markers, passed out three assists and had two rebounds as the Lancers finished the first round of elimination at solo second with a 5-1 win-loss record, just a full game behind the undefeated University of San Carlos Warriors (6-0).
The Lancers actually trailed by eight points at halftime, 24-32, but turned things around behind a blistering rally fueled by Akomo. After the sixth deadlock at 36-all, the Cobras were on top for the last time at 38-37, as the 6-foot-6 Akomo scored a pair of thunder slams in an 8-0 blitz that put the Lancers ahead by seven points, 45-38. Overall, the Lancers outscored the Cobras, 21-6, in the third period.
Mark Jayven Tallo broke SWU's nearly five-minute scoring drought bridging the third and fourth quarters with a 3-pointer, but Lancers retaliated with a five-point swing to establish their biggest lead at 10 points, 52-42, at the final 3:17 mark of the contest.
After crawling within six points, 48-54, with only 1:146 to play, the Cobras had several chances to pull even closer but misfired their targets when it mattered most, apparently due to fatigue factor that is the downside of a depleted nine-man rotation.
Crediting UV's pesky defense especially on Tallo all game-long, the Cobras really had a hard time in sustaining the early momentum they built, much more change the complexion of the match when the Lancers stepped on the gas pedal in the final half.
Interestingly, no SWU player finished in double figures as the Cobras saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. Currently holding a 3-2 win-loss record, they hope to cap their first round campaign on a bright note as they go up against the University of Cebu Webmasters next week.
In the juniors division, John Kirk Gonzaga fired 19 points as the University of San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars spanked the Cebu Eastern College Dragons, 59-55, for their third win in five starts. The Dragons stumbled to their fourth loss against only one victory. (FREEMAN)