26 July 2019
CEBU CITY—The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors dumped the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 81-74, to complete the semifinal cast in the college division of the 2019 Cesafi Partner’s Cup last Thursday, July 25, at the Cebu Coliseum.
The last day of elimination also saw the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras pull off a stunner as they came back from 20 points down to defeat the erstwhile uneaten University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 77-74.
USC ended the eliminations with six wins and six losses. As the fourth seed, the Warriors will take on the Green Lancers, who, despite the loss, emerged as the number one seed after ending the eliminations with a 10-1 (win-loss) record.
The other semifinal pairing will pit the number two seed Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras and the third-seeded University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters.
SWU and UV will be twice-to-beat in the Final Four.
One thing going against USC is that it may parade a depleted lineup in the semis following the ejections of several players in their match against USPF.
League rules state that an ejection merits an automatic one-game suspension.
It was in the final 1:09 of the match when USC’s Magic Marata and USPF’s Mhike Patalinghug got entangled in the basket.
A commotion ensued that saw several players rushing to the court.
Referees went on to eject Marata and Patalinghug as well as USC’s Ken Bekibel, Sean Vestil, Denzel Gabutan and Jhollo Pakanna.
Sommy Managor paced USC with 23 points.
American student-athlete Sameen Swint and Graggy Sarahina each had 17 points for the Panthers, who ended their pre-season campaign with three wins and 11 losses.
Lamine Thiam, on the other hand, topped SWU with 24 points, while Shaquille Imperial and Red Cachuela chipped in 12 and 11, respectively.
Ted Saga spearheaded UV with 13 points. Jancork Cabahug donated 12, while Lass Coulibally and Melvin Butohan each contributed 11.
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