Un-Hapee exit for USC

The Skygo-Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras completed a two-game sweep over the twice-to-beat but depleted Hapee-University of San Carlos (USC), 79-56, to eliminate the Warriors and advance into the semifinal round of the CESAFI-organized Partner's Cup collegiate basketball tournament the other night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Just as when the Warriors needed to pull off a crucial win, all bad things happened to them, starting off with the nasty cut of Givanni Padillo and the minor ankle injury of Gene Noel Gallarde.

At their bench, USC head coach Jay Ramirez was looking for a brother to help him, but his chief lieutenant Mike Reyes was not available as he went along with the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City Jewelers in their Davao sojourn.

Actually, Hapee-USC was even lucky enough to have extended its life that long considering that there is no CESAFI MVP Enrico Llanto in the team after two games. Llanto was meted a disciplinary action by the USC coaching staff.

Worse, Ken Sharma had a knee injury, reserve center Bo Dabuco was not available and defensive gem Jomel Igao was serving a one game suspension.

Skygo-SWU preyed on Hapee-USC's misfortunes and pounded on the hapless Warriors from start to finish on the way to score its largest winning margin of 23 points in the tournament, so far.

Ranged against an undermanned opponent, the Cobras utilized their big men to the fullest starting from Clifford Maguate, Eric Zanoria, Gilbert Gallarde and Richard Gianchand and finishing it off with Mariano Canonigo, Alfred Belande, Richie Jalonadoni and James Cabahug.

So dominant the Cobras were that they never looked back after jumping off to a hot 29-12 start.

Niño Ramirez bombarded three successive 3-pointers to pull Hapee-USC within 25-32, but that proved to be the Warriors last gasp of breath as the Cobras quickly went back to business to restore a double-digit lead at halftime, 38-27. Skygo-SWU sent Hapee-USC wobbling the rest of the way.

Zanoria led Skygo-SWU with 17 points followed by Belande with 14 points. Three more players cashed in twin figures with Gallarde, Jaime Yap and Maguate conniving for 34 points.

Ramirez had a game-high 29 points, but his singular offensive outburst couldn't save Hapee-USC from proceeding into the showers.

Skygo-SWU's 23-point demolition of Hapee-USC somehow showed the Cobras' readiness to face the top-ranked VFI-University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in the best-of-three semifinals that will kick off on Saturday.

The other semis showdown pits the second seed Metro Gaisano-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters against the third-ranked CDO Burger-University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers.

Meanwhile, CESAFI high school champion UC Junior Webmasters defeated the newly-crowned LIGA title-holder USC-North, 80-66, in an exhibition game.

The scores

First game

UC (80) - Panerio 12, Capoy 11, Connors 10, Mohammad 8, Cabañero 8, Rago 8, Espinosa 7, Vence 6, Babad 4, Bonjie 2, Pierce 2

USC-North (66) - Codilla 18, Magat 12, Santos 11, Bercede 8, Alocillo 6, Negapatan 5, Tiu 3, Omolon 2, Ferrolino 2, Uy 1

Second game

Skygo-SWU (79) - Zanoria 17, Belande 14, Gallarde 13, Yap 11, Maguate 10, Jalandoni 3, Villegas 2, Canonigo 2, Litorja 2, Tragico 2, Escober 1

Hapee-USC (56) - Ramirez 27, Padayao 9, Joven 6, Tagalog 6, Gallarde 4, Padillo 2, Ferraren 2 Halftime: 38-27