SOUTHWESTERN University finally captured its first win in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup when it downed Lyceum, 74-64, on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.
Melvin Holper, brother of former PBA cager Mike Holper, led the Cobras with 13 points including three key triples to improve their record to 1-4 in their first-ever stint in the preseason tournament.
A triple by Holper gave the Cobras a 34-22 lead near the end of the second period where the Pirates only scored nine points.
Another triple by Holper ballooned SWU’s lead to 66-57 in the fourth period.
The Cobras dropped their first three matches in lopsided fashion against Ateneo, De La Salle, University of the East. The Cebu-based squad had a competitive game in their fourth outing but still lost to San Sebastian.
SWU coach Mike Reyes said it was the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. champion’s ability to break the opponent’s pressing defense that led to the victory.
“That has been our problem in our last four games,” said Reyes. “Buti naman na-solve namin today. We addressed that threat in practice and hopefully, we can carry these back with us in Cebu.”
Cameroonian reinforcement Landry Sanjo had 11 points and 15 rebounds while Monbert Arong added 11 points for the Cobras.
Shane Ko scored a game-high 21 points for the Pirates in their first game in the tournament.
The scores:
SWU (74) – Holper 13, Sanjo 11, Arong 11, Bautista 6, Panerio 6, Siewe 6, Otida 6, Bregondo 5, Mohammed 4, Ortega 3, Goloran 3, Pajantoy 0.
Lyceum (64) – Ko 21, Zamora 15, Lesmoras 9, Mendoza 4, Taladua 4, Azores 3, Edora 3, Francisco 2, Evangelista 2, Soliman 1, Garcia 0, Fabian 0, Lacastesantos 0, Alanes 0, Ambohot 0.
Quarterscores: 15-15; 34-24; 51-45; 74-64.
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