Baby Cobras sting Wildkittens for second win in CESAFI hoop
Marion Abinuman of CIT-U goes up strong into the hoop during their CESAFI basketball match against SWU-Phinma last night at the Cebu Coliseum. SWU-Phinma won, 80-73.
CEBU, Philippines - The Southwestern University-Phinma (SWU) Baby Cobras overcame a spirited resistance by the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildkittens all game long to scrape through a 80-73 victory in the 17th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Patrick Montano and Zareygel Rosano each 21 points as they carried most of the offensive load for the Baby Cobras, who slithered their way in the top four of the juniors division with a 2-1 win-loss record.
The Wildkittens rolled to an early 11-6 lead but the Baby Cobras fired back with a scorching 12-2 rally behind the one-two combo of Patrick Montano and Zareygel Rosano to take control after the first 10 minutes of play, 18-13.
Riding on the momentum they gained, the Baby Cobras upped their lead to eight, 28-20, but the Wildkittens stayed in fighting mood to narrow down the gap at halftime, 29-32.
After the short break, the two protagonists figured in a cat-and-mouse chase in the third canto but the Baby Cobras kept their poise to protect a slim 55-53 edge heading into the last quarter.
The Wildkittens opened the final period with quick four points, then parlayed it to an 11-3 blitz to seize the upperhand, 64-58 with still seven minutes to go.
The Baby Cobras, however, swiftly got back in the groove with Rosano and Harvey Sanchez fueling a 7-0 blitz to spring on top again, 65-64, with 4:49 left.
The Wildkittens snatched the driver's seat for the last time at 66-65 as Rosano, Montano and Earl Flores connived in 11-5 run to give the Baby Cobras a 76-70 breather with only 1:51 to play.
With the Wildkittens closing in, 73-76, Montano scored on a breakaway layup, then King Cabansay hit a put-back with 15 ticks left before the final buzzer to ice the match for the Baby Cobras.
Windzel Granada exploded for 23 points while Marion Abinuman nailed 13 markers but their efforts went for naught as the Wildkittens tailspun to their third loss in as many starts. (FREEMAN)
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