UV’s Steve Akomo soars for a layup against an Arellano University defender.
(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Games today:
Cebu Coliseum
5 p.m. – USC vs UV
7 p.m. – SWU vs Arellano
After getting embarrassed in their first game in the Elite Eight stage of the 2014 Philippine Collegiate Champions League, the UAAP champions National University (NU) Bulldogs came back to form as they rallied from a 20-point deficit to stun the Cesafi champions Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, 83-68, yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Bulldogs were upset by the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers last Saturday, 74-77, and were headed towards yet another disaster as they trailed 12-32 in the first period.
Reigning Cesafi MVP Mark Jayven Tallo waxed hot from the outside, draining one triple after another for a total of 15 points in that stretch which ended with the Cobras ahead 33-16.
But the Bulldogs weathered that storm and slowly made their way back into the game, trimming the deficit down to five, 31-36, at halftime before pulling even, 56-all, heading to the final frame. There, the Bulldogs simply took over as Gelo Alolino keyed a 10-1 run with three straight three-pointers, the last one getting banked in from straightaway for a 66-58 lead, with seven minutes left.
Tristan Perez and Troy Rosario then finished off the Cobras with the former scoring six straight and the latter swishing in another triple to push the lead to 14, 80-66, with 1:10 to go.
Five players reached double figures for NU led by the 17 of Glenn Khobuntin and the 13 each of Rosario and Alolino. Perez added 12 while Alfred Aroga chipped in 10. NU evened its record out at 1-1 (win-loss).
After his torrid first period shooting exhibition, Tallo sputtered and shot blanks from that point onwards to finish with 21. Landry Sanjo scored 16 while Daryl Goloran and Jasper Parker notched 11 and 10, respectively.
The Cobras fell to 0-3 (win-loss) but will have another shot today when they take on NCAA runners-up Arellano University.
UV WINS ANEW
Meanwhile in the first game, the Green Lancers continued their giant-killing ways as they took down the AU Chiefs, 95-88.
Guard Franz Arong remained on the road to redemption as the man who was suspended by his own team for nearly coming to blows with his teammate in the Cesafi semis a few months ago led the way with 28 points, 15 of which came in the second when UV built a 41-31 halftime lead.
John Abad added 17 markers, import Steve Akomo had 16 while Rhaffy Octobre added 15.
The NCAA’s Most Improved Player Jovanie Jalalon led the Chiefs of head coach Jerry Codiñera with 26 points.
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