SWU-Phinma versus USC at the Cebu Coliseum on Tuesday night. photo by (CDN PHOTO/Christian Maningo)
The old Warriors magic was at it once again as the University of San Carlos escaped with a nail-biting 56-55 win over the Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras for their fifth straight win in the 17th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament tuesday at the New Cebu Coliseum.
Pushed to the brink by a Cobras squad that fought hard in spite of the absence of star guard John Lloyd Luz – who was serving a suspension – and later, starting center Reeve Ugsang, who suffered a sprained ankle, the Warriors turned to a familiar hero in John Reel Saycon.
And the rookie forward delivered, sinking the go-ahead basket, a game after banking in a buzzer-beating jumper that helped USC send their game against the University of Cebu to overtime, last time out.
Lucky Ecarma led the Warriors with 16 points, spiked by four three-pointers.
Saycon finished with just nine, but his impact was felt beyond the box score with his terrific play in the clutch.