Richy Managor of USPF goes for a shot against the SWU defense in a Cesafi men’s basketball game at the Cebu Coliseum on Tuesday. Lito Tecson
The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers escaped with a 62-59 win over the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras in the 2018 Cesafi men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Panthers led by 12 with three minutes to go but almost crumbled in the end as the Cobras pulled to within three, 59-62, after a lay-in by forward Red Cachuela with 11.2 seconds remaining.
The Cobras even got a clear shot at tying the game as the Panthers turned the ball over with a wayward outlet pass. Fortunately, Reeve Ugsang’s wide open triple from the left corner fell short, giving USPF a good start in the tournament.
Nigerian big man Richy Managor led the Panthers with 13 points while RR Cauba added 11.
SWU-Phinma got 28 points from Shaquille Imperial and 19 from Cachuela. The Cobras now have an even 1-1 (win-loss) record.