Wildcats end two-month jinx

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats finally scored their first victory in almost two months at the expense of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 75-70, in a battle of cellar dwellers in the collegiate division of the 11th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season the other night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

5:15 pm UV vs. CIT-U (jrs.)

6:45 pm UV vs. CIT-U (srs.)

Floyd Taboada basked in the glow of a monster performance leading to a career-high 30 points for the Wildcats, who hasn't won since the August 7 season-opener.

But after that good news, bad news comes right away as the Wildcats will be going up against the mighty University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers in tonight's main match. More bad news is coming up on Saturday as they take on the topseed and defending champion University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters.

Taboada pumped in 18 points in the third period to keep the Wildcats abreast.12 of those points came in an incredible run spanning for four minutes where he did not miss an attempt that included two triples, two jump shots and two free throws.

Allan Dimco later joined the scoring fray, while Chester Curso and sophomore guard Franklyn Batiquin made their presence felt by doing their share in a little way just enough for them to protect a slim lead.

After Curso put CIT-U on top, 67-65, Dimco hit long-range jumper and later Batiquin sank a pair of freebies to push the Wildcats ahead by three, 73-70, in the final 33 seconds.

Dimco then knocked in a perimeter shot with 14 seconds left to play and the Wildcats went on to snap out of their nine-game losing jinx.

Batiquin finished with 19 points, while Dimco and Curso netted 12 markers apiece.

The Jaguars, who finished the double round elimination with a 2-10 win-loss record, were led by Jason Olbedado with 19 points followed by Abulaiz Suliman with 12.

The scores

CIT-U (75) - Taboada 30, Batiquin 19, Curso 12, Dimco 12, Rabaya 2

USJ-R (70) - Olbedado 19, Suliman 12, Friolo 9, Dela Rama 6, Tabaloc 6, Genodiala 5, Martinez 5, Capillar 4, Sancjez 2, Molas 2 (FREEMAN)