TOUGH Gear-Southwestern University (SWU-Phinma) Baby Cobras scored clutch bucket down the stretch to survive the gutsy University of Southern Philippines (USP-F) Baby Panthers, 76-74, in the high school division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) at the University of San Carlos gym on Sunday, June 9, 2019.
Kendall Limana scored a layup on a fastbreak with 1.5 seconds ticks left after the Baby Cobras forced USP-F to commit a turnover. Limana was ahead of his defender and went uncontested for the game-winning layup.
USP-F led by a point, 74-73, in the final seconds of play. SWU missed a three-pointer but Charles Libatog got the offensive rebound. He was fouled and split his charities to make it 74-all with 22.5 seconds left to play.
The Baby Panthers failed to get a shot on the other end and Limana scored the layup and the Baby Cobras escape the Baby Panthers after blowing out a 12-point lead in the payoff period.
“We were leading by 12 points, but my big men had foul trouble. I inserted the second and third stringers but USP-F made a comeback, so I was forced to bring back my key players for us to survive,” said SWU-Phinma coach Jerry Abuyabor.
Dezeo Villanueva finished with 20 points for the Baby Cobras, Libatog pitched in 19 and Limana contributed 12.
Abuyabor said one of the keys for the team this year is the speed.
“One of my guards is really promising, he’s the son of Jimwell Torion. He was not able to play in this game but in our previous games, he was our major contributor. He plays off guard or point guard,” he said.
Torion is a Cebuano basketball player who had a decorated career in the PBA from 2000 to 2007.
Abuyabor said they’re taking one step at a time in their quest to be competitive in the regular season of Cesafi.
“We have eight new guys in the team and we are looking for experience. I want all my 17 players to get a chance to play in the Partners Cup. Right now, we’re still on the journey. We just keep it day by day. We always remind the boys to play humble,” he said.
Abuyabar believes that the competition in the high school division is balanced this year and everyone has a fighting chance to win.
“All the teams are excited. There’s no powerhouse teams this season. Before, it’s really hard to win. I think the schools right now are even,” he said.
SWU-Phinma recently unveiled the upgraded Aznar Coliseum, and Abuyabar said it has been a factor for the athlete’s preparation.
“The school has a new conditioning room and an upgraded court. These things add motivation to the athletes. My players now are dedicated to practice. I don’t have to tell then anymore,” he said.
In the other high school game, the Hotel Fortuna-University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters beat OCCCI-Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens, 81-72.
Mac-Z Micutuan scored 17 points while Banban Sevillejo added 16 for UC.