CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars fended off the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors in come-from-behind fashion, 84-79, to gain twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinal round of the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season last Thursday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
In the nightcap, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers closed the classification round in style, dumping Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Baby Greywolves by 41 points, 115-74.
The Baby Jaguars finished as the fourth qualifier with a 5-3 win-loss record, hence, they will enjoy twice-to-beat edge against the fifth seed Sacred Heart School-Jesuit (SHS-J) Eagles in the quarterfinals starting on Tuesday at the USC gym.
Gudeve Edo Autentico scored 17 points for the Baby Jaguars, while Venjie Trozo, Renzo Senining and Clent Muñez conspired for 43 points.
Four Baby Warriors also finished in double figures led by Cheeno Dalangpan with 15 points followed by Vincent Christopher Lora with 14.
Rommel Diapera, on the other hand, had a scintillating 31-point show for the Baby Panthers, in the same way with Joshua Corcilles who exploded with 29 markers.
Diapera shot to the limelight recently by nailing a career-high 55 points spiked with 11 triples in their 150-65 annihilation of the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons.
The Baby Panthers’ rampage came in too late though as they only claim the seventh spot and will have a lot of homework to do against the second seed University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers in the next phase of the tournament.
Brothers Lourence and John Eleazar Ruiz led the Junior Greywolves with 23 and 22 points, respectively.
The scores
First game
USJ-R (84) - Autentico 17, Trozo 15, Senining 14, Muñez 14, Escatron 11, Alob 7, Go 2, Montecillo 2, Figues 2
USC (79) - Dalangpan 15, Lora 14, Kikuchi 11, Malata 10, Bacaltos 6, Romaguera 6, Omolon 5, Guardario 5, Rita 3, Palapar 3, Co 1 Halftime: 37-47
Second game
USPF (115) - Diapera 31, Corcilles 29, Arong 10, Pitogo 9, Lambujon 8, Rosales 8, Miñoza 8, Catipay 4, Silao 4, Baguio 2, Tumulak 2
DBTC (74) - L. Ruiz 23, J. Ruiz 22, Yap 12, Esbrra 4, Aliganga 3, Empenio 3, Ebajo 2, Tigullo 2, Alburo 1, Pono 1, Balorio 1 Halftime: 43-35. – GGM (THE FREEMAN)