Maroons escape Panthers

Games Wednesday:

USC gym

5 p.m. – UP vs. Gaisano Capital

6:30 p.m. – San Marino vs. Rose Aquarius

ALMOST BUT not quite. The Rose Aquarius-University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers put a scare in the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons but eventually lost their bearings in the end game, succumbing, 57-60, in overtime in the semifinal round of the 5th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) Partners Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Panthers continued to surprise people with their recent performances and almost pulled off the upset of the tournament as they came all the way back from a 13-point deficit and had the Maroons on the ropes in the second half.

But it was not meant to be as the Panthers lost a five-point lead with less than two minutes remaining in regulation and saw their offense stagnate in the extra session en route to the loss.

The win was the third in a row for the Maroons, who are seeing their preseason preparation for the UAAP bear fruition.

Sophomore sensation Mike Silungan once again came up with a stellar performance as he scored 16, including the game-tying free-throws in the waning seconds of regulation and a three-point play early in overtime, which put them up for good.

The Panthers were down, 11-24, in the second period but rallied behind the Ferraren brothers, Jam and James, to come within one, 26-27, at halftime. They seized the lead in the third and held it until the later stages of the final canto. They led, 51-46, with 1:38 left in regulation. The Maroons tied the game after a three-pointer by Mike Gamboa and two freebies by Silungan with 7.3 ticks left.