VETERAN guard Luther Luke Justiniani played like a man possessed for the University of San Jose-Recoletos as he scattered 29 points including six triples to lead the Jaguars to a 102-83 mastery over the Southwestern University Cobras in the knockout championship game of the Hotel Fortuna Cup 2-Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championship held at the Cebu Coliseum last Saturday.
The University of San Carlos Warriors, on the other hand, scored a come-from-behind 89-84 win over Asian College of Technology Cyber Knights to win the third place trophy.
The Cobras were pretty much tough customers in the first half as they managed to stay close behind the Jaguars despite the early assault of Justiniani who came in as neutralizer for USJ-R in the second.
After USJ-R had a slim 19-18 lead at the opening quarter, SWU took over the driver’s seat following a 7-3 blitz.
However, Justiniani kept the Jaguars afloat as he scored 11 in the second while his scoring partner Lyndon Gudez also made his presence felt by nailing five markers. John Malinao also scored four to give USJ-R a 46-43 lead at the turn.
The third quarter proved to be a trying moment for the Cobras as the Jaguars suddenly erupted with a 17-6 binge for a 63-49 lead midway to the third.
From thereon, the Cobras crumbled into pieces as the Jaguars comfortably erected an 82-65 lead going to the fourth quarter.
Despite the huge efforts from Eric Zanoria, Lloyd Poligrates and Chris Litorja, the Jaguars seemed to play flawless basketball and coach Dodie Miego seemed to give up all hopes in the final three minutes of the game.
Aside from Justiniani, Malinao, Jessmar Villahermosa, Gudez, Bobby Hatague and Arman Ponce all scored in douuble digits, while Zanoria, Poligrates and Litorja combined for 37 points for the Cobras.
Meanwhile, hardworking Giovanni Pardillo played the unlikely hero for the University of San Carlos Warriors in defeating the Asian College of Technology Cyber Knights.
Pardillo scored 12 of USC’s 16 points in the final three minutes as the Warriors completed the surprise win over the Cyber Knights.
USJ-R received the top prize P15,000, SWU got P10,000 and USC went home with P5,000 all courtesy from tournament organizer Lorenzo “Chao” Sy. (RCM)
