SOUTHWESTERN University and University of the Visayas scored contrasting wins on Tuesday to virtually seal a championship showdown in the 13th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
Defending champion Southwestern University scored their fourth win in as many games in the semis and 10th straight overall this season, whipping University of San Jose-Recoletos, 69-49.
UV defeated University of San Carlos, 64-61, for its third win in four games in the double round-robin semifinals.
The Jaguars led, 15-7, after the opening period as they capitalized on nine turnovers by the Cobras during that stretch. However, SWU hit their stride and outscored USJ-R, 46-15, in the next 20 minutes of action to take full control of the game.
African import Landry Sanjo led the way with 16 points and 14 boards.
With two more games remaining in the semis, SWU and UV have virtually set a title match for the second straight year. The top two teams at the end of the semifinal round advance to the best-of-five finals series.
John Abad hit a three-pointer to put the Green Lancers ahead of the Warriors and neither team made a basket in the final minute and 21 seconds. Abad finished with 16 points and five rebounds.
UV had a 58-50 advantage at the start of the fourth when USC made a run and reclaimed the lead, 59-50, on a long three-pointer by Victor Rabat.
The Lancers got ahead, 61-59, after Mike Nzuesseu split his charities and Abad hit a teardrop but USC tied the count after a driving lay-in by Nico Magat.
The scores:
First game
SWU (69) - Sanjo 16, Arong 12, Bregondo 10, Tallo 8, Mohammed 5, Ortega 4, Siewe 4, Goloran 4, Panerio 3, Acuno 3, Bautista 0, Holper 0, Lopez 0, Otida 0.
USJ-R (49) - Tabaloc 10, C. Parker 8, M. Parker 6, Lajato 4, Bayhonan 4, Galvez 4, Cinco 4, R. Senining 3, Sanchez 2, C. Senining 2, Regalado 2, Nogas 0.
Quarterscores: 15-7; 32-26; 53-30; 69-49.
Second game
UV (64) - Escosio 17, Abad 16, Nzuesseu 12, Octobre 12, Perolino 4, Villamor 2, Codilla 1, Arong 0, Akomo 0.
USC (61) - Rabat 12, Salihou 10, Magat 10, Adlawan 9, Pepito 6, Que 4, Lim 3, Romaguera 2, Ortega 2, Plata 2, Amin 1, Guardiario 0.
Quarterscores: 19-19; 37-33; 56-50; 64-61.