Sunday, July 13, 2008 SWU shows grit in win vs. Korea
THE Southwestern University Cobras banked on a final quarter surge to overcome a huge deficit and snatch third place from Han Yang University of Korea, 105-93, in the 6th Asian Universities Basketball Championships yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
It was a sweet victory for the Cobras as it avenged their elimination round loss to Korea.
Meanwhile, the University of the Visayas were set to battle China for the title at press time last night.
After a close battle in the first period, The Cobras seemed to have given up when the Koreans surged ahead outscoring and outclassing them in all aspects for an 82-63 at the start of the fourth period when the Koreans started infiltrating the baskets from the three-point area.
After dropping a 26-17 bomb in the second period, the Koreans opened the third quarter with three straight triples that padded their lead.
However, when the Coliseum started to fill up and the crowd started cheering them on, the Cobras were jolted from the stupor and made a dramatic comeback, which saw them erase the deficit behind an impressive 22-1 run to take over the lead, 85-83.
The Cobras owned the final period as they outscored the Koreans with a 42-13 rally that brought them the diadem.
Spearheading the furious rally were Alfred Belande and Eric Zanoria, who spiked their heroics with one three-pointer each in the last quarter.
Belande scored 12 of his 21 points in the final period and Eric Zanoria, who made eight of his game-high 38 points in the final period, set the stage for their victory.
However, the conversions may have not been possible had SWU pointguard Ardd Django not gotten past his diminutive built as he showed courage and went for the steals that were made into necessary baskets for the team’s victory.
Rene Pacquiao, who had a few fumbles earlier on, also made a complete turnaround as he helped his team with the win. (MCB)
