Defending champion Cobras survive hard-fighting USC Warriors in overtime

The defending champions Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras showed cracks in their armor but eventually hit their stride at crunchtime to put away the hot-shooting University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 76-70, in overtime in the 2013 Cesafi men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Mark Jayven Tallo and Monbert Arong hit three trifectas with consecutive ones coming from the latter that rescued SWU from 65-59 deficit in overtime.

Arong tied the game at 67-all and then scored again  from the same exact spot to give them the lead for good with 1:08 left.

A tip-in by Daryl Goloran gave the Cobras a five-point lead but Ian Ortega came back with a three for USC that trimmed the deficit to two. But Tallo hit two free-throws and import Landry Sanjo stole the ball and slammed it home to seal the victory for SWU.

Tallo scored 27 points and added seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in his Cesafi debut.  USC got 23 from Miguel Plata and 17 from Stephen Que.

In the juniors division, the defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles kept their undefeated streak going as they beat the University of Cebu Baby Webmasters, 68-52.

The Magis Eagles have not tasted defeat since last season, where they went 14-0 en route to capturing their first crown in Cesafi history.

The 2010 champions Cebu Eastern College Dragons also easily disposed of the Don Bosco Greywolves, 80-62, behind James Roa’s 18 points.

The Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens manhandled the University of San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars, 91-68.

Jesse Aloro topped the winning team with 21 while Daryl Cruz had 16.