SWU misses crucial freebies down the stretch to give UV a 2-1 lead in Cesafi Finals

The Southwestern University Cobras had every chance to take a pivotal 2-1 series lead and blew all of it, allowing the University of the Visayas Green Lancers to escape with a gritty 69-65 victory in Game Three of the best-of-five Finals series in the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Down by three, 65-68, with 17.4 seconds to go, SWU got a huge break when UV center Steve Akomo was called for a looseball foul and a technical foul for continuous complaining on one possession, resulting in four freethrows and possession for the Cobras.

But SWU failed to capitalize and laid a big fat egg with Junrey Ortuyo and Justin Aboude missing two freethrows each.

When play resumed, SWU wingman Bon Guillena heaved a potential game-tying three that was deflected with the ball ending up in the hands of UV’s Jerome Silva.

The Mythical Five member then sealed the win with a split from the line with two seconds remaining on the clock, putting UV just a win away from claiming the title that has eluded them for the last two years after winning the first nine crowns in this league.

Just like in Game Two, the Cobras played with a chip on their shoulders and surged in front by 11, 46-35, after an 11-2 run that was capped off by a crowd-pleasing slam dunk from Ben Mbala on a fastbreak.

UV kept at it and made its move to come to within three, 47-50, at the end of that stretch with timely makes from John Abad, Chris Perolino and Silva.

UV continued its hot streak and started the fourth with an 8-0 run anchored by Silva and Akomo, who scored on a fastbreak and in the shaded lane for a 55-50 lead, with 8:22 left.

SWU continued its pursuit and was within one, 65-66, after a nifty drive by Joseph Nalos and a transition layup by Bernie Bregondo.

SWU had a chance to take the lead as it regained possession after a hard defensive stand. But Guillena lost the ball on the inbound play. Compounding matters, Mbala was assessed his fifth and final foul on the next play, with Akomo making two free-throws for a 68-65 lead, 58.9 left on the clock.

All in all, SWU shot themselves in the foot as it committed 27 turnovers and missed 15 freethrows.

Eman Calo led UV with 14 points, 12 of which came in the second period which kept them in the game. Silva finished with 13 while Phil Mercader and Akomo each had 10.

SWU was led by the 16 of Justin Aboude. SWU’s Mythical Five guard Monbert Arong, who scored 28 in their last game, played with a fever and went scoreless.