USJ-R dodges upset axe anew

CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) pulled off another squeaker, this time against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 75-74, to seal the No.2 spot in the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament last Monday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Panthers were just 16 seconds away from scoring their first win as they had a 74-73 lead on split charities by Earvin Ferraren, but Renato Abing spoiled their day by drilling in a baseline jumper with nine ticks left before the final buzzer.

The Panthers still have plenty of time to make one good offensive, but were quelled by USJ-R's stifling defense.

Abing and Abulaiz Suliman conspired for 37 points as the Jaguars finished the elimination round with a 5-1 win-loss record.

Being the second seed, the Jaguars will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage over the seventh-ranked Panthers in the quarterfinals.

In the lone high school match, the CIT-U Wildkittens slayed the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, 82-79.

The scores

First game

CIT-U (82) - Kong 19, Jabines 17, Patindol 10, Singson 7, Aloro 6, Abatayo 5, Espina 5, Nazareno 3, Ebona 3, Empleo 1

CEC (79) - Grijaldo 13, Yap 10, Obado 7, Moral 7, Berdera 7, Bracero 6, Alonzo 5, Zosa 3, Bacho 2, Bayhonan 2

Second game

USJ-R (75) - Suliman 19, Abing 18, Regalado 10, Capillar 10, M. Parker 6, Olbedado 5, Lajato 3

USPF (74) - J. Ferraren 20, Sedurifa 18, Camello 8, Sollano 8, E. Ferraren 7, Dajalos 2, Corcilles 2.