Friday, May 23, 2008 SWU Cobras turn back Warriors for first win
THE Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras suffered some mental lapses but recovered just in time to escape from the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 77-75, for its first win in the BAP-SBP sanctioned 1st M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Summer League 2008 at the Cebu Coliseum last Wednesday evening.
In the other game, the Asian College of Technology (ACT) Cyber Knights notched its second win, 88-76, over the Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Skyblazers to stay as the only unbeaten team in the tournament.
The Cobras were in control from the start of the game, and behind the deadly quartet of Clefford Maguate, Richie Jalandoni, Eric Zanoria, Alfred Belande, SWU cruised to an early 28-19 lead in the opening quarter.
Charge
But with Giovanni Padillo leading the charge for the Warriors, USC rallied to close the first half within 43-46.
However, USC went cold at the start of the third quarter and but with the three-point bombs of Eleazar Armecin and the fastbreak points of Ardd Evan Django off Warriors turnovers, SWU was able to erect a 60-43 lead at the 5:07 mark of the third on a 10-0 run.
Counter
Padillo again bailed the Warriors out from the deep pit as USC countered with a 14-2 counter rally.
SWU threatened to pull away in the fourth but USC found an answer to every rally of the Cobras.
The Cobras enjoyed a 77-69 lead at the final 2:59 mark when USC came out roaring from a timeout to close behind 75-77 at the last 39.0 mark.
Elvid Poligrates missed his second wide open layup at the other end that could have given SWU the breather as USC made its final attack but Poligrates was able to tap the ball away from the hands of Padillo and Chris Litorja completed the steal before the final buzzer sounded. (RCM)
