Lion Tiger-USPF shocks Gaisano Capital South-UC in Partner’s Cup

The Lion Tiger-University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament so far as they beat the Gaisano Capital South-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 72-69, in the Enervon-Cesafi Partner’s Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Hard on their luck for most of the tournament, the Panthers finally came through in the clutch on both ends of the floor to register just their third win of the tournament. They are now at 3-6 (win-loss) while UC fell to 6-3.

The Panthers zoomed ahead in the second canto led by the hot hands of Joseph Sedurifa, who tallied 17 during that stretch to help erect a 40-27 halftime lead.

UC came alive in the fourth and took the lead behind the exploits of import Arnaud Noah, whose layup pegged the count at 64-62.

A back and forth battle ensued with the score being tied for the last time at 67-all after a daring drive by Noah with 52 seconds remaining.

However, USPF’s energetic forward Art Camello responded with a difficult layup that gave the Panthers the lead with 34 ticks left.

UC’s next offensive went haywire as Zaid Quintang opted to shoot a jumper that hit nothing but the back board.

USPF grabbed the rebound, which led to a freethrow by Mac Batucan for a 70-67 lead.

Noah responded with a quick two-pointer to bridge the gap while Lawrence Escanilla split his freethrows for USPF to give them a two-point edge, 71-69, with 13.8 on the clock.

Noah drove hard but his attempt rimmed in and out while Jan Auditor’s putback was snuffed back by USPF center Jomari Sollano to secure the win.

Sedurifa, who hit one of two gift shots for the final count, finished with 25 points for the Panthers.

Noah led UC with just 11.

In the first game, the Raphael’s Sports Bar-University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars suffered their ninth straight loss after getting blown out by the San Marino-Cebu Institute of Technology Wildcats, 67-89.