Cobras improve to 5-3 with win over USC; Don Bosco escapes UC Baby Webmasters

The Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras grabbed solo third place in the standings after they defeated the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 72-64, in the seniors division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. basketball tournament late Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Cobras of head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba now stand at 5-3 (win-loss), slightly behind the undefeated University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and the second-running University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers. The loss dropped USC to an even 4-4.

In juniors action yesterday, Don Bosco edged the UC Baby Webmasters, 76-75, thanks to a freethrow by Marlo Pono with seven seconds left in the match.

UV on the other hand, creamed USC, 84-72.

With a mammoth crowd cheering for them, the Cobras took control of the lead in the second period, or what was eventually known as the Joseph Nalos show.

Nalos scored 14 points on a variety of daring drives, eight markers coming in an 11-0 run to end the period on top, 36-24.

SWU continued to run roughshod over USC in the third as they established their largest lead of the match at 19, 50-31, after a streaking lay-up by Nalos.  Cameroonian big man Justin Aboude canned a buzzer-beating jumper from the baseline to help the Cobras head to the fourth period, up by 18, 56-38.

Nalos ended up with 21 points while Eleazar Armecin added 16.  Mike Cantonao was the lone player to reach double figures for USC with 16.