Warriors upstage Cobras

CEBU, Philippines – The University of San Carlos Warriors wasted away an 18-point lead in the third quarter, but let loose a strong endgame punch to outclass the undermanned defending champion Southwestern University Cobras, 76-64, and kick off their campaign on a bright note in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Meanwhile, CESAFI commissioner Felix 'Boy' O. Tiukinhoy Jr. cancelled and forfieted the games of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University both in high school and college division against the University of the Visayas for CIT-U's failure to submit on time the medical certificates of its players that included an electrocardiogram or ECG test.

The league has instituted a 'no medical certificate, no play' for the first time starting this season to make sure that all players physically fit to see action in Cebu’s premiere inter-school league.

"The games of CIT-U, (juniors and seniors, are cancelled) and forfeited in favor of their opponents (UV),  for failing to submit on time their players ECG. I wish to acknowledge CIT-U president for supporting  decision of the commissioner," said Tiukinhoy in an official statement sent through text message.

Playing without a foreign reinforcement and a legitimate center in an already depleted lineup of only nine players seemed tough for the Cobras but they still flashed the heart and form of a champion, rallying from a huge deficit that somehow earned them a certain measure of respect from their rivals.

Trailing by a mile, 29-47, midway in the third canto, the Cobras banked on torrid outside shooting in a 24-3 burst capped by Anton Pardo's 3-pointer that suddenly put them ahead by two, 52-50, with just 11 seconds gone by in the final quarter.

The Cobras, however, could not sustain their momentum, holding on to the lead for the last time at 59-56 as the Warriors, living up to their billing as the strongest among the title contenders, countered with a 9-0 blitz to grab the lead back, 65-59, for good with still 5:20 remaining.

After Melvin Holper broke SWU's offensive silence, Charles Pepito scored on a five-point swing in another 9-0 blitz that put the Warriors beyond reach with a 74-61 advantage at the last 29 seconds of play.

Four USC players cashed in double figures led by Nico Magat with 16 points spiked with four triples. Cameroonian Shooster Olago had 14 silent points, while Pepito and Ian Tagpan chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Warriors, who gave Britt Reroma a rousing welcome as their new head coach.

Giovannie Luz paced the Cobras with 12 points, while star playmaker Mark Jayven Tallo could only score 11 identical with Holper.

It was actually a resounding twinkill for the Carolinians as the Baby Warriors earlier annihilated the Don Bosco Greywolves, 102-33, in the juniors play. (FREEMAN)