DEFENDING champion Southwestern University and University of the Visayas primed up for their championship showdown with victories at the close of the semifinal round of the 13th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum.
SWU edged the University of San Carlos in overtime, 82-80, while UV blasted University of San Jose-Recoletos, 73-49.
The Cobras completed a sweep of the double-round semifinals and have now won 12 straight games. The Green Lancers, on the other hand, ended the round with a 4-2 win-loss record.
The best-of-five championship starts on Tuesday.
Monbert Arong saved the day for the Cobras as he made a fastbreak layup with 3.1 seconds left.
Cameroonian import Fabrice Siewe scored 18 points for SWU, Arong finished with 15 points, while Mark Jayven Tallo chipped in 14.
USC had a chance to steal the win as Victor Rabat was sent to the line for two free-throws and the Warriors down by just one, 79-80, but he split his charities.
Seldom-used guard Miko Marquez scored 11 points to lead the Lancers, while reigning league MVP Wowie Escosio added 10.
USJ-R on the other hand, got 15 from reserve guard Wilkins Sanchez and 10 from Christian Parker.
The scores:
First game
UV (73) - Akomo 16, Marquez 11, Escosio 10, Abad 9, Santillan 9, Mendoza 4, Nzuesseu 4, Perolino 2, Villamor 2, Octobre 2, Cabañero 2, Arong 2, Codilla 0, Babia 0, Fajardo 0.
USJ-R (49) - Sanchez 15, C. Parker 10, M. Parker 8, Lajato 4, Cinco 4, Tabaloc 3, R. Senining 2, Regalado 2, Galvez 1, Bayhonan 0, C. Senining 0, Rosell 0, Nogas 0, Villarosa 0.
Quarterscores: 22-5; 41-21; 57-29; 73-49.
Second game
SWU (82) - Siewe 18, Arong 15, Tallo 14, Mohammed 8, Bregondo 5, Bautista 5, Goloran 4, Sanjo 4, Panerio 2, F. Ortega 2, Acuno 2, Holper 0, Otida 0.
USC (80) - I. Ortega 17, Pepito 16, Salihou 13, Rabat 13, Que 9, Lim 5, Magat 3, Amin 2, Romaguera 2, Plata 0, Adlawan 0.
Quarterscores: 26-12; 40-24; 56-43; 67-67; 82-80 (OT).
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