USPF HOLDS OFF SWU IN CESAFI CAGING
The USPF Panthers survive a late rally from the SWU-Phinma to eke out a 62-59 win in Cesafi
The University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Panthers held off a late push from the Southwestern University (SWU-Phinma) Cobras to escape with a 62-59 win in the 2018 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) in the Cebu Coliseum yesterday.
The Panthers staged an 11-3 blitz to start the fourth quarter and padded their lead to double-digits at 53-42 from a slim 4239 edge after the third quarter.
Shaquille Imperial momentarily stopped the bleeding with a trey but it was quickly answered by USP-F’s import Rich Managor, as the Lahug-based school stayed in control with a 57-47 edge.
When the Panthers were on their way to victory, the Cobras did a final push and Imperial scored from rainbow country to bring down the deficit to six points at 61-55, with a minute left to play.
SWU’s Red Louis Cachuela knocked down two free throws with 26.5 seconds left while USPF’s Karl Marvin Langahin split his charities on the other end and USP-F kept a five-point lead, 62-57.
But the Panthers left a small door open and Cachuela scored under the basket to make it 6259 with a few ticks to play.
The USP-F had a costly turnover on the other end that gave SWU another possession, but Reeve Ugsang missed the potential game-tying trey in the left corner.
Managor set the tone for the Panthers with 13 points. High-leaper Rodelio Cauba Jr. added 11 and Roy Quiachon Jr. handed nine.
Imperial tried to lift SWU with 28 points but he did not get much needed help outside of Cachuela’s 19 points. Only five players scored for SWU.
The Panthers controlled the opening quarter with a 21-17 lead before SWU stole the lead in the middle of second quarter with a four-point play from Imperial, 25-24. The Panthers finished the quarter with a 7-4 run for a 31-29 halftime lead. /