LEADING MVP candidate Landry Sanjo scored 19 points on top of 19 rebounds and four assists to lead the Southwestern University Cobras to a masterful 65-57 win over the Jose Rizal University Bombers to advance to the semifinal round of the FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup 2014 held at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.
The team was boosted by chairman of the board of trustees Maris Johanna Holopainen, board member Andrew Aznar and vice president for administration Jonah Lafuente, who flew all the way to Manila to be the team’s official cheering squad.
“Our vision is for the Cobras to become an organization that must possess a clear vision and continously improve, with plans for succession. We are not there yet but we will get there one of these days,” an ecstatic Aznar told Sun.Star Cebu after the game.
SWU engaged the Bombers in a tough defensive game in the opening quarter which resulted to a low scoring 11-9 tally at the end of the first 10 minutes, before putting up a three-point lead at half-time.
SWU suddenly broke the game wide open in the third period when coach Yayoy Alcoseba used his vaunted three-guard rotation and a full court trap to outscore the Bombers 22-12 in the third period.
With JRU’s outside shots failing to find their marks, SWU managed to build a 19-point lead 57-38 early in the final period.
The Heavy Bombers countered with a 9-0 blast to put them within 10 points. After a brief exchange of baskets, SWU found its lead reduced to six points barely two minutes left in the clock.
But it was unfortunate for JRU as the Bombers allowed the Cobras to dominate the rebounding department in the dying minute of the game.
“We stepped up on defense. We pressured JRU and denied their receivers,” SWU assistant coach Mike Reyes told Sun.Star Cebu after the game.
Reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. MVP Mark Jayven Tallo also had a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Philipp Paniamugan led JRU with 16 and Jaycee Asuncion contributed 11 for the Vergel Meneses-mentored Heavy Bombers.
SWU will play the winner between Far Eastern University Tamaraws and De La Salle Univeristy Green Archers. (RCM)