Cobras rip Wildcats

The reigning champions Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras grabbed a share of the lead in the standings as they waylaid the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 91-63, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Cobras established their dominance in the first half and continued to build on it in the final 20 minutes of the game to notch the victory.

With their second win in as many outings, SWU tied the idle University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers at the top with identical 2-0 (win-loss) records.

Monbert Arong, the lefty gunner of the Cobras who made it to the Mythical Five team of this competition last year, led the onslaught with 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists and six steals. SWU’s 6-foot-11 import Fabrice Siewe added 15 while Mark Jayven Tallo chipped in 12. The team’s other reinforcement, Landry Sanjo, had just seven points but had a whopping 13 rebounds and three blocks.

Floyd Taboada paced CIT-U with 23 points while rookie Joshua dela Cerna continued his strong play with 18 markers. However, the Wildcats fell to the bottom of the pack with their second straight loss.

In the juniors division, the defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles and the 2010 titlist Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons gained the top spot as they won over their respective opponents.

SHS-AdC walloped the CIT-U Wildkittens, 82-75, behind the clutch shooting of Jair “The Igniter” Igna, who scored 10 of his 28 points in the final stanza.

CEC routed the UV Baby Lancers, 85-65, behind a searing run in the fourth that was led by Mark Roa, who had 26 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Both CEC and SHS-AdC share the top spot with similar 3-0 records while UV fell to 2-1. CIT-U dropped to 1-2.

The University of Southern Philippines- Foundation Baby Panthers also debuted in style as they blasted the Don Bosco Greywolves, 83-30.