26 June 2019
CEBU CITY–The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers hung tough in the endgame to defeat the winless Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 88-78, in the college division of the 2019 CESAFI Partner’s Cup on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Panthers evened their record to 2-2 (win-loss) behind Lajie Mendez, who collected 23 points.
John Maglasang chipped in 13 points, Karl Langahin added 12 markers as they helped the Panthers rally in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats played solid in the first three quarters and brought a 59-56 lead into the fourth. USPF suddenly caught fire from the three-point land, dropping four straight trifectas to mount a 70-61 edge.
Desperately searching for their first win, the Wildcats fought back and came within five late in the game, 82-77. USPF put the game away with four unanswered points as CIT-U stumbled to its fifth straight loss.
Mark Kong and Jessie Aloro paced the Wildcats with 20 markers each.
In the secondary division, the Tough Gear-Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Baby Cobras held off the Cebu Elite-University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors, 64-58.
The Baby Cobras moved up to 3-1 (win-loss) but not after withstanding the Baby Warriors’ endgame fightback.
SWU built a 50-39 lead in the fourth but things got more interesting when USC clawed back within 54-57 in the final 1:24.
The Baby Cobras found a way to extricate themselves from big trouble by building a 61-54 cushion with only 56 seconds left.
Charles Libatog and Kendall Limana spearheaded SWU with 13 markers each.
Khadshein Tagalog and V.J. Baruc combined for 25 points in the Baby Warriors’ fourth loss in five matches.
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