SOUTHWESTERN University beat University of the Visayas, 77-70, on Thursday for its fifth win in the double round-robin semifinals of the 13th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
The two squads had earlier secured the seats in the best-of-five championship series that starts next week, but nevertheless played with intensity so much so that there were a total of six technical and unsportsmanlike fouls called.
Mark Jayven Tallo scored nine of SWU’s last 12 points, helping the Cobras score their 11th consecutive win.
Import Landry Sanjo came up with 18 points and 17 rebounds, Tallo finished with 19 points and eight assists, while Monbert Arong added 17 points.
It was the third win by the Cobras over the Lancers this season.
UV now has a 3-2 win-loss mark in the semifinals.
Earlier, University of San Jose-Recoletos recorded their first win in the semis with a 78-60 shellacking of University of San Carlos.
Miguel Tabaloc had 19 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Jaguars. USC and USJ-R own similar 1-4 records.
Already beaten twice by the Cobras this season, the Lancers were bent on getting a victory and took the lead, 59-58, after a three-pointer by John Abad with 5:15 remaining. But SWU quickly responded with seven straight points for a 65-59 lead.
Tallo then kept the Lancers at bay as he made a scoop shot, three free-throws and a steal that led to an unmolested lay-in by Bernie Bregondo to make it 72-66, with 38.9 ticks left.
UV moved to within three, 70-73, when a technical foul was called on Lancers head coach Felix Belano for hurling invectives at officials after a foul was called on UV’s Alfred Codilla.
That led to two made free-throws by Tallo. Later, UV guard Miko Marquez was slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul and Tallo made his charities to seal the victory.
Abad led the way for the Lancers with 18 points, while Cameroonian import Mike Nzuesseu added 17.
The scores:
First Game
USJ-R (78) - Tabaloc 19, Regalado 10, C. Parker 9, M. Parker 9, Lajato 8, R. Senining 7, Galvez 4, C. Senining 2, Bayhonan 2, Nogas 2, Sanchez 1, Cinco 0, Villarosa 0, Rosell 0.
USC (60) - Salihou 17, Ortega 13, Amin 7, Adlawan 7, Rabat 5, Oleodo 4, Magat 3, Lim 2, Guardiario 2, Romaguera 0, Que 0, Pepito 0.
Quarterscores: 19-5; 34-22; 58-46; 78-60.
Second Game
SWU (77) - Tallo 19, Sanjo 18, M. Arong 15, Goloran 9, Mohammed 8, Bregondo 4, Panerio 0, Bautista 0, Siewe 0, Otida 0.
UV (70) - Abad 18, Nzuesseu 17, Escosio 10, F. Arong 8, Octobre 8, Villamor 5, Perolino 3, Cabañero 2, Akomo 1, Fajardo 0, Marquez 0.
Quarter Scores: 29-19; 42-34; 55-50; 77-70.
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