Tagalog saves USC

The University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors escaped the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Baby Cobras, 65-60, in the secondary division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) in the Cebu Coliseum yesterday.

Khadsein Paul Tagalog played the hero’s role for the Baby Warriors after scoring the team’s last five points. Tagalog scored down the rim for the go-ahead bucket, 62-60, with 10.2 seconds left in the game.

The Baby Cobras missed on the other end before Tagalog was sent to the line. Tagalog split his charities but was able to grab an offensive rebound with 4.6 ticks left. He was fouled again and this time made two free throws to seal the win for USC.

USC entered the fourth quarter with a slim 46-43 lead. The Warriors were able to erect the lead to as much as 10 points but the Baby Cobras managed to stay within striking distance until the final seconds of the game.

USC had the lead early in the game as the Warriors rushed to 18-7 edge after the first quarter and had a 33-20 lead at half time.

Tagalog scored 14, Anthony Octaviano chipped in 11 and Gerald Iñigo added 10 for USC, which improved to 5-1 (win-loss) slate.

Matthew Flores exploded for 19 points in a losing effort for Baby Cobras, which dropped to a 1-6 card.

In the other game, the University of Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers routed the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildkittens, 118-67, to stay undefeated after six games. Four players from the Baby Lancers finished in double figures in scoring.

Joshua Yerro had 29 points, George Cometa added 14, Andro Actub handed 16 and Brian Laurente finished with 10. /