UC pounds SWU, completes semis cast in Bayugan hoop

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, Philippines — The Phoenix Fuels Life- University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters launched a crippling rally bridging the third and fourth quarters to pummel the Mair Construction-Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras, 70-55, and complete the semifinal cast in the Mayor Kim Lope A. Asis Collegiate Invitational Basketball Tournament at the Lope Asis Memorial Gymnasium here yesterday.

After dropping close 71-78 decision to Vincare Pharma-University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers on Tuesday night, the Webmasters bounced back with aplomb to take the last ride into the final round of four where the  Bracket A topseed National University (NU) Bulldogs await them.

In the other knockout semis duel, Bracket B’s No.1 qualifier UST Tigers will square off against the SG ARQ Builders-Lyceum Polytechnic University (LPU) Pirates.

Both the Tigers and Bulldogs finished the elimination round with 2-0 records, while the Webmasters and the Pirates sport 1-1 slates.

In the crucial all-Cebu battle, the two protagonists fought tooth and nail, but the Cobras were in striking range for the last time at 42-44 as they wilted under a renewed challenge by the Webmasters.

Paul Galinato made back-to-back shots, then Joven Tagudin hit a 3-pointer before Justine Dacalos sank a buzzer-beating trey capping a 10-0 blitz that gave the Webmasters a 54-42 edge at the end of the third period.                 After Dacalos opened the final canto with a breakaway layup, SWU’s Reeve Ugsang and William Polican banked two consecutive triples.

But Galinato and 6-foot-8 Cameroonian import Frederick Elombi engineered a 12-4 run to virtually secure UC’s victory, 70-52, with only 1:26 left to play.

John Calvin Jabello paced UC with 17 points, including 12 in the second period that vaulted them to a 34-25 lead at halftime, while Galinato and Elombi scattered 15 markers each.

Shaquille Imperial was held off to 13 points after erupting for 34 points in SWU’s 95-89 overtime loss to UST last Wednesday night.

Edmundo Bayhonan finished with 10 points for the Cobras, who will now take their chance for fifth place against the Greene Builders/Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan Crusaders.

Staged to spice up Bayugan's 11th Charter Day and Bayug Festival celebrations, the four-day tilt offers over P500,000 in cash prize to the winning teams, with the champion getting the lion's share of P200,000. (FREEMAN)