CEBU, Philippines – The visiting Myongji University of Seoul, South Korea banked on their near flawless outside shooting to outlast the Southwestern University Cobras, 73-63, and snap out of its two-game losing skid in the 10th Asian Universities Basketball Championship-Cebu Province International Collegiate Cup on Friday evening at the Minglanilla Sports Complex.
Earlier, the University of the Visayas Green Lancers vanquished the University of San Carlos Warriors, 83-78, to come out as the elimination round topnocher. They were actually tied with the Warriors on identical 2-1 slates but got the higher placing by virtue of a simple tie.
The crossover semifinals featuring UV against SWU and USC versus Myongji U were still being played as of this writing last night.
The winners will then clash in the knockout final scheduled today at the newly-refurbished Cebu City Sports Institute gym in Barangay Sawang Calero. The South Koreans are considered the underdogs in this five-day tournament, but they still could bring home the bacon to their country given the caliber of play they have shown against the Cobras.
Jungsu led Myongji's offensive assault with 17 points followed by Kiwan Ju and Koo Yeoson with 16 and 11 markers, respectively. The Cobras, who were surprisingly the No.4 seed going into the semifinal stage, were paced by Landy Sanjo with 12 points and Mark Jayven Tallo with 10.
Earlier, Rhaffy Octobre flashed his old deadly form to topscore for the Lancers with 17 points highlighted by the team's last six points that quelled a spirited comeback attempt by the Warriors spearheaded by Nico Magat and Ian Tagapan.
Jerome Napao also caught fire to finish with 13 points for UV, even as spunky guards John Michael Abad and Alfred Codilla chipped in 21 points combined.
The scores
First game
UV (83) - Octobre 17, Napao 13, Abad 11, Codilla 11, Manzo 8, Perolino 7, Akomo 7, Soliva 3, Segumpan 3, Mpouma 2
USC (78) - Magat 17, Tagapan 16, Olago 13, Rabat 9, Toyambi 7, Pepito 5, Lim 4, Malana 2
Second game
Myongji (73) - Jungsu 17, Kimwan ju 16, Koo Yeoson 11, Park Jun 9, Kiyang 8, Hungki Sung 7, Kim Jisu 3.
SWU (63) - Sanjo 12, Tallo 10, Acuno 8,Valdor 8, Lagbas 8, Bregondo 6, Labitad 3, Luz 2, Holper 2 (FREEMAN)