La Salle's Kib Montalbo tries to pull off a steal against Southwestern U's Fabrice Siewe as Archers's Norbert Torres (8) and Gab Reyes try to provide help during their PCCL semifinal showdown at the Blue Eagle gym. JUN MENDOZA
- Monbert Arong – 17 points
- Mark Tallo - 13 points
- Adams Mohammed -12 points
- Landry Sanjo - 11 points
The big 4 led Cebu SWU Cobra, bringing the team closer to becoming the first team from outside the Manila big city to win in this annual meet.
Da best ka bai Monbert, Mark, Adam ug Landry. Apil mo sa Higala.Me Bisayan Tabu-an [ www.Higala.Me ]
Cobras stun Archers; Tams repel Lions
Southwestern University (SWU) Cobra unleashed its vaunted firepower in overtime, outscoring UAAP champion La Salle Green Archers and pulling off a stunning 68-58 victory at the start of the 12th Philippine Collegiate Champions League round robin semifinals at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City yesterday.
Seldom-used Fil-Am Melvin Holper scored all his nine points from beyond the arc, one late in regulation and two in extra period to power the SWU Cobras, who topped the Southern Region qualifier two weeks ago, past the stunned La Salle Green Archers for what, could be the biggest upset win in the tournament thus far.
Cebu Southwestern University SWU Cobras unloaded 16 points in extension while holding the fancied Manila La Salle Green Archers to just six with their tough defense to boost SWU's bid for the best-of-three finals.
"He bailed us out," said SWU coach Yayoy Alcoseba referring to Holper, younger brother of former pro Michael.
Monbert Arong, Mark Tallo, Adams Mohammed and Landry Sanjo led SWU Cobra with 17, 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Cobras, who moved closer to becoming the first team from outside the Big City to win in this annual meet.
"It's a proud accomplishment to beat a strong champion team like La Salle," said Alcoseba.
Cebu SWU actually booked an early flight back home for the team on Friday but another win over NCAA champion San Beda today may force the management to make the necessary changes.
"We want to challenge the team to win, that's the reason why," said Alcoseba, whose wards have actually made quite an impression as early as last year.
In fact, their top player, Cameroonian Francis Mbala has been recruited by La Salle.
The Manila La Salle Green Archers took control majority of the way, keeping a four-point lead heading to the fourth.
But Cebu SWU Cobras pounced on the Archers' shaky finish with Arong, African Sanjo, Mohammed and Tallo, who played for a season with La Salle before returning to Cebu, combining late in the fourth before Holper, who didn't see action in the first 32 minutes of the match, came off the bench to fire clutch triples.
Arnold Van Opstal didn't see action with an injured hip while Jeron Teng, the UAAP Finals MVP, finished with seven points on a nightmarish one-of-10 shooting.
Undermanned Far Eastern U also upended NCAA titlist San Beda, 62-56, to cap the day of upsets.
Da best ka bai Monbert, Mark, Adam ug Landry. Apil mo sa Higala.Me Bisayan Tabu-an [ www.Higala.Me ]
Mike Tolomia poured in all but two of his topscoring 23 points in the second half, including a 15-point third quarter performance that saw the Tams overhaul a 24-30 halftime deficit and post a 46-40 lead heading to the fourth.
But interim FEU coach Eric Gonzales credited the team's surprise win to his wards' defense that stymied the Red Lions' offense down the stretch. – with report from PhilStar
