Cobras sting Lancers in OT

SAINT BERNARD, So. Leyte, Philippines - Shaquille Imperial exploded for 29 points, including Southwestern University's first 10 points in overtime as the Phinma-backed Cobras battled back from a 17-point deficit in  the fourth quarter on the way to stun the University of the Visayas Green Lancers, 78-75, at the start of the 2017 St. Isidore Fiesta Inter-Collegiate Basketball Invitational Cup yesterday here.

Meanwhile, the University of San Carlos Warriors squandered a 17-point edge early in the third canto but rode on lucky breaks and erratic endgame play by the University of Southern Philippines Foundation to eke out a 56-52 victory over the upset-seeking Panthers.

After leading by as much as 14 points with just two minutes gone by in the second quarter, 27-13,  things went bleak for the Cobras when the Lancers launched a furious counter-attack to wrest the driver's seat at halftime, 34-33, then stretched it to nine after three quarters.

UV's offense still accelerated further, with Sheldon Gahi and Jerome Napao completing two consecutive 3-point plays in an 8-0 blitz that vaulted the reigning CESAFI champions to a commanding 59-42 at the final 8:41 mark of the regulation period.

The Cobras, however, shot back to life behind the explosive endgame show of Giovannie Luz, who pumped in 10 of his 12 points in a searing 21-4 run that keyed their spectacular turnaround.

Jan Monic Soliva put UV on top for the last time at 63-61 as Arnel Molina scored on a layup to knot the count at 63-all with 40 seconds remaining.

In their possession, the obviously fagged out Lancers failed to plot one good offensive play that compounded their woes.

With 18 seconds left, the Cobras still have plenty of time to wrap up the match but Molina flubbed a wide-open jumper then Imperial flubbed a 3-pointer as the gameclock expired, hence, the extra  period.

In the five-minute extension, Imperial took matters into his own hands by churning out 10 straight points to push the Cobras into a 73-67 lead.

Displaying the heart of champions, the Lancers retaliated with  with a 10-3 rally to tie the score, 75-75, on Napao's clutch trey, but Gerald Fernandez answered quickly to pull the Cobras ahead again, 77-75.

The Lancers blew their chances to forge a second  overtime when Tristan Albina, so cold all game long, missed a breakaway layup to the dismay of UV bench led by their head coach Gary Cortes.

Arnel Molina was immediately fouled by Napao after getting the rebound with 3.9 seconds left. He split his charities but that was all the Cobras needed to seal their miraculous comeback.

"Honestly, when we we're down by 17 points in the fourth period, I no longer expect my team to win. I just told my boys at that point to do the right thing especially on defense," said coach Mike Reyes, whose Cobras bombarded the Lancers with a total of 11 triples. "And they did the right thing that is why the outcome went our way."

The presence of UV's comebacking Liberian import Bassieru Sackor couldn't even scare the slithering Cobras away.

Sackor finished with 13 points, while reigning CESAFI MVP Rey Suerte and Balabag had 23 points in between them in a losing effort for the Lancers, who face a must-win situation in their next game against the Panthers. (FREEMAN)