Bernie Bregondo of Phinma-SWU cruises for an easy basket against a Tyrone Properties-USPF defender. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
TOURNAMENT favorites Phinma-Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras used a back-breaking third quarter kick to repulse the listless Tyron Properties-University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 77-67, last night in the 8th Cesafi Partner’s Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.
Shaquille Imperial and the comebacking Bernie Bregondo both fired 16 points to lead the Cobras, who tied the Worthy-University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers at the number one spot with identical 2-0 (win-loss) records.
Imperial was on target from the three-point territory, where he made five conversions and sparked the Cobras’ scorching third quarter attack.
The Cobras closed the first period with a 19-11 lead but the Panthers chipped away at the deficit and stayed close at 34-36 at the turn.
SWU quickly went to work in the third with Imperial opening the period with a rare four-point play that triggered a 10-2 run which gave the Cobras a 45-36 lead.
The Cobras made five three-pointers in the decisive third quarter assault that saw them lead by as many as 17 points.
Mark Tallo, the back-to-back Cesafi MVP, and Jun Luz both had two three-pointer and chipped in 11 and seven points, respectively. Lyndon Colina collected a game-high 23 points but the Panthers couldn’t end their slide as they slumped to their third loss in as many starts.
In the main game, the Myled Opto- Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats broke into the win column by beating the Highland Corned Beef-University of Cebu Webmasters, 87-72.