CEBU, Philippines – University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers pulled a big upset as they toppled the defending CESAFI champion University of San Carlos Warriors, 74-61, in the 1st Asia Pacific University Games basketball tournament yesterday at the their gym in Barangay Lahug, this city.
Ayn Obenza and Carl Langahin registered 18 and 17 points, respectively to lead USPF.
The Panthers successfully bounced back after losing in a close game against Japan's Nippon Sports Science University Lions, 71-74.
Ian Ortega had 11 points for the Warriors as bigmen Charles Pepito and William McAloney had nine points, while Nico Magat chipped in seven points.
That huge win by the Panthers was the second defeat of the Warriors after the latter also lost to University of Cebu Webmasters, 73-65 giving rookie coach Kenneth Kern Sesante his first major victory as bench tactician.
UC are now in the best position to snatch the title after the Webmasters beat the taller Malaysians from the Universiti Tecknologi-Mara, 66-61, for their second victory yesterday.
After losing in their opening game against Japan’s Nippon Sports Science University, the Webmasters used excellent defense in holding off the Malaysians.
Garciano Puerto Jr. hauled 15 points as rookie guard Gelain Delator added 11 points for UC.
In the badminton team event played at the Metro Sports Club, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University scored a 2-0 sweep of Malaysia to win the finals of the women's division. (FREEMAN)