SWU Cobras sneak past UST in massive upset

SWU Cobras sneak past UST in massive upset

by rick olivares pic by brosi gonzales

May 4, 2013

Filoil Flying V Arena

The Southwestern University Cobras are going home to Cebu feeling every bit like a homecoming hero.

Bowled out in their first few games, the Cobras, with seven new players, and with former assistant and now head coach Mike Reyes calling the shots, won their third straight game at the expense of reigning Philippine Collegiate Champions League titlist University of Santo Tomas, 64-63.

Adam Mohammad split his free throws off a foul by UST center Karim Abdul for a 64-62 lead with 53 seconds to play. In the Growling Tigers next possession, Jeric Teng secured a missed three-point shot by Clark Bautista and was fouled by SWU’s Landry Sanjo.

Teng likewise split his free throws, 64-63, typifying UST’s miserable record from the stripe, 17-30, for a poor 57%.

The Cobras could have put the game away but Monbert Arong, despite being in the midst of a brilliant game, was called for traveling giving UST the ball back with 10.9 seconds. The ball was worked to Kevin Ferrer but his desperation attempt was long.

The Growling Tigers had head coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio on the sidelines for the first time all summer long. But Jarencio was unable to inspire his team to victory as they struggled from the frenetic defense displayed by Southwestern University.

“Our main game plan was if Clark Bautista is not the point guard then we will always help out on Teng, Mariano and all their good players so the ball will always go out to their point guard,” said SWU head coach Mike Reyes. “(Robin) Tan, (Edcor) Marata got shots but didn’t hit them. But in the last possession all the four players will stick to their men except for Abdul. Sanjo would stay in the middle to guard any penetration which is why we got the stop.”

The two squads traded leads 10 times with no team leading by more than four points. Fil-Am Melvin Holper drove for a bucket then hit a huge triple to give SWU a 62-59 lead with 1:47 left in the game. The Cobras did not surrender the lead after that.

“We dedicate this game to coach Yayoy (Alcoseba) who stepped down the other day,” said point guard Javy Bautista after the match.

“This is the perfect way to end our Manila stint,” added Reyes, the younger brother of Gilas head coach Chot Reyes. “This will help us in our preparations for CESAFI.”

Arong top scored with 16 points while Landry Sanjo chalked up another double double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Kevin Ferrer and Karim Abdul led UST with 12 points each.

Quarter scores: 12-13, 23-27, 47-45, 64-63

My notes: How did SWU pull off this win? They played tough defense. The Growling Tigers just didn’t match the Cobras' energy level. UST had better stats in almost every category save for field goal percentage. SWU shot 50% while UST managed only 32%.

Good luck to my old Ateneo classmate, Mike Reyes during CESAFI. OBF!