CEBU CITY — Defending champion Southwestern University got back on track, edging Cebu Institute of Technology-University, 69-64, in a heated game in the 15th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament on Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Two-time league MVP Mac Tallo came up with his second double-double in a row, scoring 14 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. He hit a lay-in that kept the Wildcats at bay with 53 seconds remaining.
Melvin Holper also had 14 points, while John Lloyd Luz added 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists as SWU evened its win-loss record at 1-1, while CIT-U fell to 0-2 for the season.
After the already-undermanned Cobras became an eight-man crew when forward Janjan Auditor suffered an ankle sprain in the third, the Wildcats took advantage and trimmed an 18-point deficit to just four, 60-64.
Holper stopped the bleeding with two free-throws but CIT-U was relentless and crept to within four, 62-66, after a putback by Bridrik Brigoli. Tallo responded with a nifty spin move that left Brigoli sprawling, paving the way for an unmolested lay-up to put them ahead, 68-62.
Tempers flared with just 1.8 seconds left as Luz and CIT-U guard Steve Bucao got tangled and were both assessed unsportsmanlike fouls.
Joshua de la Cerna led CIT-U with 22 points.
In juniors action, Cebu Eastern College and the University of San Carlos nabbed their second straight wins
CEC drubbed Don Bosco, 60-42, while USC beat the University of Cebu, 76-67. The upset of the day belonged to University of San Jose-Recoletos, which routed last year’s runners-up University of the Visayas, 65-43.
The scores:
Seniors
SWU (69) -- Tallo 14, Holper 14, Luz 10, Bautista 9, Pardo 8, Racho 8, Auditor 6, Clam 0, Gonzaga 0.
CIT-U (64) -- Dela Cerna 20, Dimco 10, Pono 9, Brigoli 7, Lucena 5, Bucao 3, Kong 3, Aloro 3, Muñez 2, Mumar 2, Sanchez 0, Taghoy 0.
Quarter Scores: 16-10; 39-29; 54-47; 69-64.
Juniors
USC (76) -- Laurente 18, Chavez 11, Mangaron 8, Macandog 7, Damolo 6, Fontanosa 5, Pakanna 4, Mendoza 4, Mendez 4, Canieso 4, Bande 3, Gato 2, Ranuco 0.
UC (67) -- Mangubat 14, Cuyos 13, Abejo 11, Gabisan 8, Umpad 6, Hemida 4, Intrampas 4, Labrada 3, Soco 3, Malubay 2, Santome 0, Ecal 0, Cabansay 0, Florita 0, Pando 0.
Quarterscores: 22-15; 41-24; 63-45; 76-67.
USJ-R (65) -- Ortiz 15, Gonzaga 12, Ibero 9, Enriquez 7, Teleron 7, Dado 4, Dela Cruz 4, Ando 2, Cruz 2, Bascon 2, Leonora 1, Camacho 0, Cabatingan 0, Himmelsbach 0.
UV (43) -- Cabahug 13, Amistoso 10, Maglasang 8, Ra. Alforque 3, Yerro 3, Evardo 2, Paraldo 2, Laurente 1, Saliot 1, Balazuela 0, Valenzuela 0, Ro. Alforque 0, Oche 0.
Quarterscores: 9-12; 22-28; 46-34; 65-43.
CEC (60) -- Tecson 16, A. Roa 15, Leopoldo 12, Galarse 6, Orillaneda 6, Tempra 5, Sullano 0, Astillero 0, M. Casio 0, Abarquez 0, Canoy 0, L. Casio 0, Guillemer 0.
DBTC (42) -- Lim 21, Ciabo 6, Quieta 5, De La Torre 5, Gabisay 2, Adlawan 2, Macam 1, Sta. Cruz 0, Duque 0, Mabitad 0, Cañoneo 0, Saludes 0, Larumbe 0.
Quartersccores: 10-9; 15-26; 37-39; 60-42.
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