Maroons start strong in Partners Cup semis

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

5 p.m. – Lion Tiger vs. UP

6:30 p.m. – Gaisano Capital vs. San Marino

Star wingman Mike Silungan shrugged off a bum ankle and delivered a virtuoso performance to tow the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons to an exciting, 65-56 win over the San Marino Corned Tuna-Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras at the start of the semifinal round of the 5th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) Partners Cup yesterday at the University of San Carlos (USC) gym.

Silungan, the Maroons’ prized Fil-Am sniper, actually suffered a left ankle injury in their last game against the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals in the Flying V Premier Cup earlier in the week.

However, he was all-systems-go against the Cobras as he scored 17 points, including five three-point shots. He had nine of those points in the fourth period which helped stave off the resilient Cobras.

The two teams battled back and forth all game long with several near-scuffles erupting between Mike Gamboa and Junrey Ortuyo, and Daryl Goloran and African import Alinko Mbah.

But the cool hand of Silungan prevailed as he hit a three-pointer that extended the Maroon’s precarious one point lead, 54-53, to four, at the halfway point of the final frame.

Then, with the Cobras breathing down their necks, 56-60, Silungan came off a screen to hit another trifecta that hammerred the last nail in SWU’s coffin.

The Cobras were led by the 17 of Bon Guillena and the 16 of Rene Pacquiao.