University of the Visayas’ Sheldon Gahi drives to the basket against two University of Cebu defenders in the 16th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON).
The Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras won their 11th game in a row with a 31-point beatdown of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 85–54, in the 16th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The victory pushed the Cobras to within a win away from a complete sweep of the elimination round.
John Lloyd Luz led SWU’s balanced attack with 15 points while veteran big man Bernie Bregondo punished CIT-U’s small frontline with 12 points. Two-time MVP Macmac Tallo had 11 points, six assists and four rebounds.
SWU led 23–15 after the first but finished the ensuing canto with a 13–2 rally, capped by a three-point play by the birthday boy, Darwin Barte, to put the Cobras in front by 18, 41–23.
The second half was a mere formality as the Cobras moved the ball well, totaling 22 assists, to fluster CIT-U’s defense and build leads that went as high as 35.
Steve Bucao had 12 for CIT-U which has not won a game in eight tries this season.
Meanwhile in the first game of the double-header, the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers got back on track as they crushed the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 72–59.
The win was a much-needed one for UV, which before yesterday, had lost two straight games. More importantly, it gives them both momentum and confidence heading to their much-anticipated second round matchup with age-old rivals, SWU, tomorrow afternoon.
Liberian forward Bassiere Sackour feasted on UC’s interior defense as he piled up 12 points and 11 rebounds while wingman Josue Segumpan, who sparked UV’s breakaway in the fourth period, finished with 11 points spiked by a three-of-six clip from beyond the arc.
UC, on the other hand, finished the elimination round with a 3–8 card, good for the fifth seed heading to the quarterfinals.
Justine Dacalos and JR Puerto each had 10 to lead the Webmasters.