Cobras tame Jaguars for fifth straight win

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

1 p.m. – Don Bosco vs. UV (Juniors)

2:30 p.m. – USJ-R vs. USPF (Juniors)

4 p.m. – UC vs. USC (Juniors)

5:30 p.m. – UV vs. USC (Seniors)

The reigning champions Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras stepped closer towards a sweep of the elimination round and an outright berth in the semifinals after they beat the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 79-58, in the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Cobras fought off a furious comeback attempt by the Jaguars in the third period and put away their opponents with a searing 20-3 run that bridged the third and fourth periods to claim their fifth win in a row.

African import Landry Sanjo churned out another solid outing as he led the Cobras with 20 points on top of 17 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.

Floor general Mark Jayven Tallo added 14 points and four boards while reserve forward Daryl Goloran chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds.

USJ-R was crippled by the inefficient outing of their vaunted backcourt combination of James Regalado and Rendell Senining, who combined for a measly four points.

Senining, a prized rookie find, did not score his first basket until the fourth period, when the game was well out of reach.

The Cobras started off strong and grabbed a 38-29 lead at halftime. But the Jaguars stormed right back into the game with a 12-4 run led by Christian Parker, whose three-point play off an alley-oop got them within one, 41-42.

But the Cobras retaliated with a blazing rally of points from their reserves led by Goloran and Nilton Otida for a 56-44 lead heading to the last chapter.

SWU scored the first six points of the fourth to blow the Jaguars away for good.

Christian Parker led the way for USJ-R with 19 points while his brother, Matthew, added 10 while battling foul trouble all evening. The Jaguars fell to an even 2-2 (win-loss).

In the juniors division, the reigning champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) blasted the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, 79-69, to remain unbeaten in seven games.

The Eagles toyed with the Dragons all game long and, at one point, led by 30 points before cruising to the win.

Jair Igna led the winners with 27 points while Arnie Padilla added 15.

In other games, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers (3-2) barely got past the University of the Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters (1-4), 80-77, as Jun Manzo led the way with 22 points.

The University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors also won their third in five games following a 65-50 victory over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers.