SWU shows true form, routs CIT-U

THE SOUTHWESTERN University (SWU) Cobras got back on the winning track as they annihilated the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 101-74, in the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

After three unimpressive outings, the Cobras finally showed the form that most have been expecting of them as they got huge numbers from wingman Monbert Arong and Camerooninan rookie sensation Ben Mbala to log their second win in four games.

Arong, who missed the last game because of an injury, exploded for 31 points spiked by six three pointers. He also added seven rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.

Mbala, on the other hand, added 26 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks for the Cobras.

Mbala set the tone early as he dominated down low and scored eight in the first canto to push SWU to a 24-13 lead.

From there, the lead steadily grew with the Cobras going on an 11-3 run in the second behind the team’s other Cameroonian Justin Aboude for a 46-30 halftime lead.

CIT-U got the deficit down to a low of 10 on several occasions during the third period but SWU was simply on its game last night and did not relent on its attacks, pushing the lead to a high of 30 at 101-71.

Jeffrey Taghoy and Allen Dimco led the way for the Wildcats with 15 points each.

Curiously, star wingman Floyd Taboada saw limited minutes and was held down to just four points.

According to assistant coach Bembem Alcaraz, it was head coach Gilbert Demape’s decision to sit Taboada. CIT-U fell to 1-3 (win-loss).

In the juniors division, CIT-U came all the way back from a 16-point deficit at the start of the fourth period to stun the University of San Carlos Baby Warriors, 72-68. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio