CEBU, Philippines - Joseph Nalos exploded with 21 points as the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras pounded the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 94-81, in last Thursday's game of the 11th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season at the Cebu Coliseum.
Games today
(USC gym)
5:15 pm USC vs. USJ-R (jrs.)
6:45 pm USC vs. USJ-R (srs.)
The Cobras, now 3-0 in the second round, improved their win-loss record to 6-3 and are almost assured of landing a spot in the semifinals.
Bonifacio Guillena chipped in 15 points as he helped the Cobras in keeping the Wildcats at bay but as always, Rene Pacquiao, Eleazar Armecin and 6-foot-6 center Justin Aboude were the usual sources of points.
Coach Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba did not start Aboude - maybe either they're confident or to let the latter realize that his being foul prone makes him a liability rather than an asset at crunchtime.
Aboude was later fielded in at the 2:35 mark of the first period and the Cobras led by four, 20-16, but the Wildcats pulled within just a hairline, 21-22.
For the third time, Aboude fouled out along with his 10-point contribution.
The Cobras outscored the Wildcats in the second period to take a 49-37 lead at halftime lead. They full control of the game from there onwards.
Pacquiao punched in 14 points even as Armecin and Monbert Arong fired 13 points apiece.
The Wildcats, still winless in nine games, had four players scoring in double figures led by Allan Dimco with 16.
In the lone high school match, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles rallied in the final five minutes of the contest to tame the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters, 94-81.
First game
SHS-AdC (94) - Ochea 17, Cadavis 16, Lim 12, Sing 10, Igna 9, Cercado 4, Suarez 3, Competente 2, Tecson 2, Segador 2
UC (81) - Trangia 27, Orquez 15, Bacalso 13, Armenion 8, Almario 6, Grafilo 5, Luardo 4, Nemeno 1
Second game
SWU (94) - Nalos 21, Guillena 15, Pacquiao 14, Armecin 13, Arong 13, Aboude 10, Ortuyo 4, Bregongo 2, Castro 2
CIT-U (81) - Dimco 16, Curso 14, Rabaya 14, Graf 11, D. Nazareno 9, Taboada 7, Sanchez 6, Taghoy 4 - (THE FREEMAN)