As the final buzzer sounded, Rene Pacquiao heaved up a shot from halfcourt that found nothing but the bottom of the net.
It was that kind of a ballgame for the San Marino Corned Tuna-Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras as they captured third place honors with a thrilling 75-69 overtime win over the hardluck Rose Aquarius-University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers in the 5th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) Partners Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Pacquiao’s shot punctuated what was indeed a fortuitous win for the Cobras, who seemingly were at the jaws of defeat in the dying seconds of regulation.
The score was tied at 60-all when Eleazar Armecin missed a contested jumper and the loose ball found its way to halfcourt. It was picked up by Panther wingman Joseph Sedurifa, who had nobody between him and the basket with just three seconds remaining, for the apparent game-winning lay-up. However, Sedurifa’s layup trickled in and out of the rim as time expired.
The overtime session was all San Marino as they took the lead for good, 65-62, behind Junrey Ortuyo’s three-pointer, which bounced high off the front of the rim before sailing through the basket, a shot that typified the Cobras’ luck all throughout the contest.
Ortuyo added two more free-throws while Pacquiao shot in consecutive baskets that put them in front, 71-64, with 25 seconds remaining in overtime.
Armecin paced San Marino with 16 points while Bon Guillena added 14. Pacquiao added 13 while Bernie Brigondo contributed 12.