SWU SURPRISES UV, ERASES 17-PT LEAD

SWU Cobras erase 17-point lead to beat UV Green Lancers in Southern Leyte SWU, UV, USC, UC and USPF are in Leyte for preseason tournament Champion in the event will pocket P100,000, while runner-up earns P70,000

The Southwestern University Cobras erased a 17-point deficit to beat bitter rivals University of the Visayas, 78-75, at the start of the St. Isidore Inter-Collegiate Fiesta Invitational Cup in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte yesterday.

Meanwhile, the University of San Carlos Warriors defeated the muched-hyped University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers 56-52 in the second game.

Julius Cadavis fired 11 points to lead USC to victory while Kenneth Cada topped the Panthers with 10 points.

The SWU Cobras, a former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundaiton Inc. champion, actually had a 16-point lead, 27-13 early in the second period before they lost steam under the razzle-dazzle game of the Green Lancers.

UV dropped a 21-7 blitz to even the score at 34-all at halftime , then worked hard to take control of the game until Jovannie Luz pumped up the Cobras in the final quarter.

At the 8:41 mark of the final period UV posted a 59-42 lead, and looked headed to an easy win.

But Luz sparked the comeback of the Cobras, who dropped a telling 21-4 blast to tie the game at 63-all at the end of the regulation period.

Shaquille Imperial then took charge for the Mike Reyes-mentored Cobras to frustrate the Gary Cortes-coached Green Lancers.

Imperial scattered 29 points for the Cobras and Luz added 12. Liberian Bassieru Sackor topscored for UV with 13, while reigning Cesafi MVP Rey Suerte contributed 12 points. /