Panthers defang Jaguars: To check four-game skid in CESAFI

After an agonizing four straight losses, the University of Southern Philippines Panthers went back to the winning track with a 99-84 thrashing of last year's runner-up University of San Jose Recoletos Jaguars to stay alive in the semifinal race in the 5th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball event on Tuesday night at the Tabunok gym.

Games today
(Minglanilla)
4 pm USJR vs. USC (women's)
5:30 pm UV vs. USC (juniors)
7 pm UV vs. USC
(seniors)

The Baby Panthers earlier demolished the Baby Jaguars, 92-73, but the Lady Jaguars saved the day for USJ-R with a 64-51 victory over the CIT Lady Wildcats in the women's division.

The Panthers relinquished their lead in the third period, but after a long see-saw battle, they settled down to 67-57 edge with 1:17 left in the third period.

As the Panthers tried to break the game wide open, the Jaguars came back to just three points, 76-79, at the final 5:00 minute mark of the contest.

Elvis Labares scored crucial baskets in the closing minutes of the game to give the Panthers a 96-84 lead in the final 42.4 seconds with both teams under the penalty situation.

The largest lead by the Panthers was the final outcome with 15 points.

The Panthers, who are now almost having a free ride into the semifinals as the fourth qualifier, improved their win-loss record to 3-4, while the Jaguars continue to falter and slipped to 1-5.

Labares led the Panthers with 25 points, while Dominic Ceniza and Marlon Demape had 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The Jaguars were led by Luther Justiniani and Ranulfo Malinao with 17 points apiece.

Meanwhile, Dennis Ferraren and San Jordan Hemosa each scored 27 points for the Baby Panthers, who improved their win-loss record to 5-3.

The Baby Jaguars, who are languishing from a pitiful 0-7 slate, were led by Renato Abing with 31 points and Aniceto Lapiz, Jr. with 14 points.

In the distaff side, Denirose Sepulveda and Joanne Marie Mejellano scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, to lead the 2-2 Lady Jaguars, while Chona Tabernero led the 0-4 Lady Wildcats with 19 points. Women's
USJR (64) - Sepulveda 11, Mejellano 10, Malinao 9, Dagatan 8, Mahawan 6, Sta. Cruz 5, Arcilles 4, Labaya 4, Baclaan 2
CIT (51) - Tabernero 19, Pepito 13, Sanchez 8, Trazona 7, Panuncia 2, Faune 2 Juniors
USP (92)- Ferraren 27, Hermosa 27, Aligno 13, Dysam 9, Tiro 4, Muñez 2, Ybañez 2, Loon 2, Cabatingan 2, Ramos 2, Grogaard 2
USJR (73) - Abing 31, Lapiz 14, Cabanes 9, Alasa-as 7, Andoy 7, Caparros 5 Halftime: 48-31 Seniors
USP (99) - Labares 25, Ceniza 16, Demape 12, Rogado 10, Mercader 9, Pendang 7, Gallarde 7, Travero 4, Belande 2, Cumba 2, Colonia 2, Rovera 2 USJR (84) - Justiniani 17, Malinao 17, Hatague 14, Arellano 13, Ponce 9, Buena 8, Villahermosa 3, Arpay 2, Pogoy 1, Maconocido 1 Halftime: 39-38