The Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras acquired their second win in the 2015 FilOil-Flying V Hanes Premier Cup after edging out Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates, 60-53, Wednesday afternoon at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
From a 10-5 deficit, the Pirates scored drained two straight baskets to close within one, 10-9, midway into the opening quarter. But LPU could not capitalize, as SWU managed to end the quarter in their favor, 13-11.
SWU turned the slim deficit into wide five-point, 23-18 lead with less than four minutes remaining into the second quarter. On the other hand, LPU, closed within three, 25-22 after a Jebb Bulawan layup, but the Cobras closed the half with a 7-2 run to take the upper hand, 32-24.
The visitors from Cebu posted their biggest lead of the game, 46-29, in the 2:03 mark of the third canto with baskets from Boko Mupungo, Bernie Bregondo, Melvin Holper, Jasper Parker, and Raymark Acuno. SWU limited Lyceum to just seven points in the quarter to approach the final frame up by eighteen, 49-31.
Lyceum scored seven straight points to open the fourth quarter and trim SWU’s lead, 49-38, 7:45 left. The Cobras, however, went back to post a 56-42 lead with less than six minutes to go. But their lead was short-lived, for LPU closed within six, 56-49, after a Wilson Baltazar triple. LPU fished for fouls down the stretch; however, their four split free throws were not enough to complete a comeback.
“Ang daming open shots na hindi namin na-create,” stressed SWU head coach Rocky Alcoseba, regarding LPU being able to trim the lead to just single digits. “If we were able to make those shots, the game would not be that close.”
“We almost forgot we have a system,” he added.
Three Cobras scored in double digits, with Holper leading the charge with 12 points. Mupungo had 11, while John Auditor added 10. Jean Nguidjol led LPU, who is playing their last game today, with 11 points and five boards in the loss.
SWU will face the CEU Scorpions tomorrow, June 6, at 1:30 PM to close their FilOil stint.
The Scores:
SWU 60 – Holper 12, Mupongo 11, Auditor 10, Luz 7, Goloran 6, Tallo 5, Bregondo 4, Acuno 3, Parker 2
LPU 53 – Nguidjol 11, Gabayni 10, Baltazar 10, Alanes 8, Bulawan 7, Mbida 2, Lacastosantos 2, Ayaay 2, Soliman 1, Sunga 0, Marata 0, Caduyac 0, Taladua 0
| TEAMS | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH |
| SWU (A, 2-5) | 13 | 32 | 49 | 60 |
| LPU (A, 1-7) | 11 | 24 | 31 | 53 |
