Landmaster-USPF eyes first win in Partner's Cup

The Cebu Landmaster-University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) shoots for that elusive first win as it takes on a resurgent Hapee-University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors today in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI)-organized Partner's Cup collegiate men's basketball at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Cebu Landmaster and Happe slug it out in the main match at 6 pm, right after the El Rancho-Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildcats battle the Guardo-Don Bosco in the opening match at 4:30 pm.

The Cebu Landmaster-USPF is currently mired at the cellar with a woeful 0-6 win-loss record. For sure, the Panthers will go out for the win to avoid an ambarrassing seven-game shutdown in the elimination round.

For them to triumph, the Cebu Landmaster of coach Raul Latonio, Sr. and his rookie-laden crew must put up a solid endgame performance.

In its two previous games, the Cebu Landmaster-backed Panthers had good chances of winning but fumbled down the homestretch, allowing Guaordo-Don Bosco to steal the game it almost placed in the bag, 71-75, in overtime last February 8.

Just recently, the Cebu Landmaster played well in more than three quarters, but folded up in the windup to drop a 70-74 decision to El Rancho-CIT. Those literal hardcourt tragedies would have paved the way for the Cebu Landmasters to be in better position than the others.

The Cebu Landmaster is led by veterans Dominic Ceniza, Bryan Travero and Jason Bartolabac. They will play alongside Jeremiah Ayn Latonio, Moncrif Rogado, John Gulane, Henry Mancera and maybe Randy Colonia, who did not show up in their past two games.

The 3-2 Hapee, which scored the highest winning margin so far of 32 points in the Partner's Cup via a 90-58 decision over Don Bosco last Friday, is powered by Niño Ramirez, Ryan Carlo Padayao, James Tagalog, Jomel Igao and Paul Joven, among others.

On the other hand, the 2-4 El Rancho hopes to improve its record when it goes up against the 1-5 Don Bosco.

El Rancho boasts of Sherwin Abobo, Emilio Aniñon, Marvin Abapo, Ronel Villarba, Ryan Montealto, Sherwin Resilla and Jerry Lumongsod.

Don Bosco relies on Lester Sunga, Celso Coligado, Jake Alferez, Jonatahan Aldave, Russel Litorja, Ian Calooy and Christopher de la Rama.

The Partner's Cup elimination round will end on Thursday, with CDO-UV and VFI-USJR, which are currently tied with 5-1 winloss cards, disputing the number one spot.

A UV win will give the Lancers the no. 1 spot, but a loss will give the Metro Gaisano-UC the top ranking istead. A victory by USJ-R will install the Jaguars as the number one seed followed by UC and UV at second and third, respectively.