In an inter-league game between CESAFI powerhouse South Western University and NCAA Final Four contender Jose Rizal University, Landry Sanjo’s imposing power under the boards leads the the Cobras to a semi-finals berth.
Despite a furious rally by JRU, SWU was able to maintain their lead and take a 6-point victory over their opponent thanks to the efforts of Landry Sanjo (19 pts, 19 rebs) and Mark Tallo (13 pts, 10 rebs)
The game started slow, with a first quarter score of 11-9 in favor of SWU. However, JRU made a 12-5 run through the first half of the 2nd quarter to lead 21-16 with 5:44 to go.
SWU was finally able to end their scoring drought with a 3 pointer from Tallo putting the score at 19-24. This sparked an SWU run and they were able to take the lead with 29-26 at the end of the half.
At the start of the third things get chippy as Parker commits a hard foul of Paniamogan and the two exchange words, and both are given a warning. JRU is able to go on a 5-0 run, but is broken by a floater from mohammed at 8:05 left in the quarter. SWU then makes their own run wih a lay up by tallo and a 3 by mohammed, a side step lay up by tallo, and 3 by mohammed for an 8-0 run. A 3 by Asuncion is the last field goal JRU makes for the quarter putting the scor at 43-36. SWU is able to capitalize on JRU’s bad shooting to end the 3rd with a 51-38 lead.
JRU starts the 4th with a 3 from Asuncion, and, in what seems like a desperate maneuver, implements a press defense to try to force turnovers. Despite the change in defense, SWU still manages to go on a 9-0 run to take a 19-point lead with a score of 60-41. JRU’s press pays dividends after a 3 point shot from Asuncion, forcing SWU to commit repeated turnovers while making their own run with an and 1 from mabulac, and another 3 from Asuncion, and 4 consecutive free throws from Dela Paz, cutting their deficit down to 6 with a score of 64-57.
SWU was able to hustle its way out of an upset when, with 2 minutes left; they were able to keep possession of the ball with consecutive offensive rebounds. JRU was finally able to take possession of the ball with slightly over 30 seconds left in the game, leaving them with no more time to finish their comeback. The intensity of the game finally came to a boiling point when double technical fouls were called on SWUs Goloran and JRUs Mabulac for trash talking.
For the first time in their basketball history, SWU was able to clinch their first Fil Oil finals berth with a 6-point victory over JRU with a score of 65-57
The scores:
SWU (65) — Sanjo 19, Tallo 13, Mohammed 8, Pardo 7, Goloran 6, Luz 5, Bregondo 4, Parker 3, Aboude 0.
JRU (57) – Paniamogan 16, Asuncion 11, Abdulwahab 7, Sanchez 7, Mabulac 5, Benavides 5, Dela Paz 4, Lasquety 2, Benemerito 0, Salaveria 0.
Quarterscores: 11-9; 29-26; 51-38; 65-57.
