SWU disappoints, suffers 2nd straight setback in Cesafi; USPF surprises with 2-0 start
-A A +AWednesday, August 17, 2011
THE Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras was envisioned to be one of the strong teams in the collegiate division of the 11th season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. However, as of now, the squad mentored by renowned coach Yayoy Alcoseba hasn’t lived up to its expectations after a dreadful start, dropping its first two games.
It felt like déjà vu for the Cobras, because after leading most of the way, SWU crumbled in the waning minutes for a heartbreaking 62-59 loss to the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers. SWU opened its campaign this season with a similar defeat to the University of San Carlos.
SWU found themselves ahead 36-28 at halftime with a dominant performance by Justin Aboude, who scored 20 of his 24 points in the first half. Aboude was well contained by USPF in the second half, scoring only four points in the third, and was scoreless in the final quarter.
Fritz Dajalos shouldered the offensive load for the Panthers in the third quarter, scoring 12 of his 20 points here. He capitalized on the size mismatch with his bigger defender 6’7”Aboude, who had a difficult time keeping up with him.
USPF shaved SWU’s lead to just five, 43-48, going into the fourth.
The Panthers, which had a strong third quarter, continued were they left off and opened the fourth with an 11-0 run to pad its lead, 54-48.
The Cobras fought back and took over the lead with an 11-point rally to snatch, 59-54. However, SWU’s run was short-lived as USPF scored three unanswered baskets and a free throw for a two-point lead, 61-59.
Monbert Arong tried to tie the game in the waning seconds with a shot at point-blank range but it was rejected by Dajalos. USPF grabbed the loose ball and Aboude was forced to foul Randy Avila, who sank one of two free throws to make it 62-59. Eleazar Armecin tried to send the game to overtime with a shot beyond the arc but he missed it badly.
USPF had a great start of the tournament with 2-0, while SWU is still winless at 0-2.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on August 18, 2011.
Sports
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