CPU shakes off sluggish start to defeat Hercor

By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The CPU Golden Lions is on a three-game winning streak in the 2019 UNIGAMES Men’s basketball after prevailing over a tough Hercor College squad from Roxas, 91-78.

Hercor started the ball game with a patient defensive scheme that forced CPU to violate the 24-second shot clock numerous times and that allowed them to control momentum in the first half.

With CPU struggling to shoot the basketball against Hercor’s defense, the squad from Roxas began to pull away and find their rhythm with their perimeter shots early in the match.

The excellent baseline defense of Hercor contained CPU’s cross-corner passes and disregarded their three-point shooting tendencies early on, with the half ending 26-37 in favor of Hercor.

Coach Matthew Montalvo then instructed some key adjustments as the second half began that shifted the atmosphere of the game, starting Rey Tupas that immediately let his presence felt with four consecutive three-point bombs that energized the Golden Lions and sparked their run.

CPU never looked back after grabbing the momentum and finding their rhythm offensively throughout the second half, with guys like Miguel Sasuman and Wilmer Dalumpines sharing the load offensively.

The scoring barrage of the Golden Lions left Hercor in the dust and never gave them a chance of coming back.