CEBU, Philippines - Elvin Holper hit what is by far the biggest shot of his career, darting in a 3-pointer that vaulted the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras to a 64-60 victory over the National University (NU) Bulldogs and win the title of the 1st Mandaue Mayor's Cup Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament last Saturday night at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.
Had it not been for Holper's endgame heroics, it would have been a disastrous night for the Cobras, who blew away a 13-point lead, 55-42, at the final 7:27 mark of the contest.
The Cobras were actually on the verge of defeat when the Bulldogs staged a blistering run midway in the fourth quarter behind the triumvirate of Gelo Alolino, Jeth Troy Rosario and Glenn Khobuntin.
At the height of NU's rally, SWU's Cameroonian star Landry Sanjo and reliable shooter Adams Mohammed already fouled out of the game.
The Bulldogs, however, could only pull within a hairline, 59-60, as Holper, coming in to replace Sanjo, knocked in a booming trey that lifted the Cobras' spirits, 63-59, with only 34 seconds left to play. It was Holper's lone output of the game, yet it lifted the Cobras into high heavens.
Sanjo paced the Cobras with 21 points, followed by Mark Jayven Tallo and Mohammed with 12 and 10 markers, respectively. It was, however, SWU's Fil-Am recruit Jasper Parker who was named tournament MVP.
In the battle for third place, Kevin Villafranca scattered 19 points capped by a crucial put-back that pulled the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars to a 62-60 stunner over the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers.
The scores
For third
USJ-R (62) - Villafranca 19, Suano 15, Bayhonan 12, Catipay 8, Regalado 5, Lajato 4, Navarra 4, Senining 2
UV (60) - Escocio 12, Arong 10, Suerte 7, Ferraren 7, Octobre 7, Codilla 3, Perolino 2, Mpouma 2
Championship
SWU (64) - Sanjo 21, Tallo 12, Mohammed 10, Parker 9, Goloran 6, Bregondo 4, Holper 3.
NU (60) - Khobuntin 13, Alolino 12, Rosario 12, Neypes 7, Aroga 6, Celda 5, Betayene 2, Atangan 2, Javelona (FREEMAN)