Cobras win epic finals: Pajantoy the unlikely hero as SWU stuns UV to grab historic CESAFI crown

An epic ending to an epic series.

The Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras completed what is by far the greatest comeback in their 11-year history of CESAFI basketball, gamely wiping out an 18-point fourth quarter deficit to stun the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 73-72, in the classic finale of their best-of-five series witnessed by a roaring 12,000-plus crowd that filled every nook and cranny of the Cebu Coliseum last night.

The Cobras, thus, clinched their first ever CESAFI crown and at the same time ended their 13-year title drought in Cebu’s premiere school-based cage league. SWU last won a championship back in 2000 when CESAFI was still known as the Cebu Amateur Atletic Association (CAAA).

“I’ve already won so many championship titles in the past but this one is so very special to me,” said an ecstatic SWU head coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba.

Just when everybody thought that the Lancers are headed to lopsided victory after they mounted an imposing 63-45 lead on a thunderous two-handed slam by Steve Cerdick Akomo at the final 7:45 mark of the contest, Alcoseba pulled an ace up his sleeves in seldom used playmaker John Pajantoy.

“When we were down by a huge margin, I gambled with a three-man guard and Pajantoy (John) delivered. He came from heaven to us. The whole tournament, he was not a factor. He is the Sto. Niño of SWU that lead us to this championship,” added the legendary Cebuano bench tactician.

What he lacked in heft and height Pajantoy complimented it with a big fighting heart as he turned in a splendid performance that has earned him - without doubt - the respect and admiration of Cebuano hoop fans.

“When coach Yayoy (Alcoseba) pulled me in, I really did not expect that I could deliver what was expected of me. I just played with my heart out and I’m happy to have contributed something to our victory,” said Pajantoy.

A few seconds after he was checked in by Alcoseba for the first time in the series, Pajantoy hit a medium-range jumper, sparking a fluid 10-0 spurt that pulled them within just eight points, 55-63, with still 4:46 to go.

Pajantoy was truly a beacon of hope for the Cobras as he dished out crucial plays spotlighted by nifty assists leading to a five-point swing by Benoit Mbala that enabled them to even the count for the first time at 72-all with only 49 seconds remaining.

Rattled by the roaring SWU fans, Phil Mercader was called for an offensive foul in the ensuing sequence, a blunder that dealth the Lancers a crushing blow with only 25 seconds to go. UV then quickly fouled Monbert Arong in an attempt to stop the clock.

After missing his first throw, Arong drilled in his second attempt to give the Cobras their first and only taste of lead, 73-72, with only 8.7 ticks left before the final buzzer.

The diehard supporters of both sides held on their breath as the Lancers are about to make their one, final offensive. Unfortunately for UV and its large throng of fans, the ball was tapped out of bounds by Mbala with only seventh-tenth of a second left in the gameclock.

After receiving an inbound pass from Francisco Arong, Eman Calo provided a rather bizzare ending to what had been a suspense-filled match after his desperate heave from beyond the arc bounced off the glass before swishing gently through the rim. It was not counted though as it was pretty obvious that there was no time left when he made the shot.

As the Cobras and their well-wishers celebrated their glorious moment, some disgruntled fans pelted the hardcourt with empty mineral water bottles and coins, perhaps out of frustration over the Lancers’ stinging debacle.

It was a heart-rending defeat for the Lancers as they dictated the tempo of the match right from the start only to falter in the end.

The Lancers lost an early 23-11 advantage, allowing the gritty Cobras to close within a hairline, 35-36, but they regained their explosive form to mount a 14-point edge, 57-43, heading into the final 10-minute zone. The Lancers went on to enjoy their biggest lead of the night only to wilt under a renewed challenge by the Cobras spearheaded by Mbala, Pajantoy and Joseph Nalos.

Mbala topscored for the Cobras with 25 points followed by Arong with 10 markers. Pajantoy scored all his eight points in the fourth period that spelled big difference for Southwestern’s amazing turnaround.

League MVP Wowie Escosio had 14 points, while Akomo and Calo netted 13 markers apiece for the Lancers, who failed to ascend back to the throne they last held in 2009. The UV Green Lancers snatched a record nine straight CESAFI championship before being dethroned by the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters two years ago.