Panthers salvage first victory by stunning Yayoy-coached UC in Southern Leyte hoopfest
The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers caught a big fish in snapping a two-game slide as they stunned the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 83-76, yesterday in the 2017 St. Isidore Parish Fiesta Invitational Cup at the Saint Bernard Municipal Gymnasium in Southern Leyte.
CD Avancena fired 20 points, while RR Cauba, Kenneth Cada and Mike Patalinghug combined for 28 points to help the Panthers of Albert Alocillo barge into the win column after starting the tournament with back-to-back losses.
After racking up two straight wins to start the three-day tilt, UC of multi-titled head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba looked headed to another big win when they surged to a 73-69 win late in the game after staring at a 62-69 deficit with in the final 3:47.
Patalinghug, Avancena and Cada then joined forces to save the Panthers from what could have a huge meltdown as the trio sparked a 11-2 blast that allowed USPF to regain the lead, 80-75, with 27 ticks left.
Meanwhile, the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers charged back from a sorry opening day loss by nailing two straight wins.
UV dropped its first assignment against the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras 75-78, but quickly recovered by trouncing the USPF in the afternoon games last Saturday, 78-59.
The Green Lancers sustained the momentum yesterday by blasting the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 96-64.
UV trailed early against the Warriors, 14-21, but got going in the second period and staged a 20-6 assault to take a 34-27 halftime lead.
Things got a little testy in the third when USC forward Julius Cavadis was slapped with a punching foul against UV import Bassieru Sackor in the 8:06 mark.
Cavadis was ejected from the game and will no longer be allowed to play for the remainder of the tournament. Cavadis was slapped with a P3,000 fine.
UV was only up by three, 37-34, when Cavadis was tossed and the Green Lancers were quick to capitalize his absence as reigning Cesafi MVP Rey Suerte dropped four straight triples in a torrid run that saw UV surged to huge 69-49 lead with one quarter to play.
Suerte topped UV with 20 points, while Jayson Balabag added 14.
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