CEBU - Southwestern University routed bitter rival University of the Visayas, 69-45, on Wednesday evening to shore up its bid for a quarterfinal berth in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.
The win was the fourth in a row for the Cobras, allowing them to keep hold of the top spot in Group A.
But they are expected to be challenged for the spot in the same group by reigning UAAP champion La Salle on Saturday and reigning Filoil title holder University of the East on Sunday.
With former King Cobra and now La Salle stalwart Ben Mbala in attendance, the man who inherited the mantle at Southwestern University, Cameroonian Landry Sanjo, tallied 20 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and issued three assists.
Power forward Bernie Bregondo added 12, while Anton Pardo scored all nine of his points in a telling 18-4 run that clinched the win for the Cobras.
After a close first period, the Cobras pulled away in the second by holding down the Lancers to just five points for a 28-17 halftime lead.
It was all Southwestern University from there as Pardo connected on two three-pointers and added an and-one play off a nifty undergoal stab that pushed the Cobras in front, 48-23.
The Lancers never recovered from there.
UV played without star forward Wowie Escosio, who according to head coach Felix Belano was suffering from a sprained ankle.
Nobody managed to reach double figures for the Green Lancers as ace guard John Abad was held down to seven points in 20 minutes of action.
UV is now sitting at the bottom of the standings with an 0-4 card.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
