CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Mustangs dug deep down the stretch before securing a vengeful 84-80 win over the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras in the qualifying round of the Sinulog Cup 2024 Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, January 17, at the Cebu City Sports Institute (CCSI) gym in Barangay Sawang Calero.
The Mustangs have some score to settle against the Cobras who handed them their last defeat and in the process spoiled their Final Four bid in last year’s Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 23.
After a close battle in the first half that resulted to a 40-40 deadlock at the break, the Mustangs picked up their offensive rhythm with savvy to pull away for a double-digit lead, 75-65,midway in the final period.
The Cobras retaliated with a 9-0 blast to pull within just a hairline, 74-75, but the Mustangs hung on tough to escape with a thrilling four-point victory, thanks to the crucial 3-point bomb dropped by Keaton Taburnal in the dying seconds.
Redjhee Recimiento paced the Mustangs with 15 points.
CRMC’s big revelation, however, was Earl Laniton who debuted with an all-around show of 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Newcomer Jonathan Vanguardia also made his presence felt with 12 points and four rebounds for the Mustangs.
Kyle Maglinte finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists while Allen Glare and Kerk Louie Navarro chipped in 10 markers apiece for the Cobras, who fell to 1-1 in a tie with the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors.
After getting thrashed by the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, the Warriors bounced back but they had to toil hard at the endgame before fending off the gritty University of the Philippines (UP)-Cebu Fighting Maroons, 62-58.
The Fighting Maroons, who were down by 11 points early in the second period, 17-6, trailed for most of the way but launched a decisive 13-0 assault that did not only erase the deficit but also gave them a 55-52 edge in the closing minutes of the contest.
But the Warriors courageously fought back when the game was on the line to grind through a much needed four-point triumph that shield them from early elimination.
Bryle Puntual shepherded the Warriors with 19 points and seven rebounds. Roprie Buzon added eight points and seven rebounds, while EJ Bakunawa scored only three but was a monster on defense with 12 boards and two assists.
Brandon Sainz netted 17 points and five rebounds for UP Cebu.