Jaguars battle Cobras tonight

CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars hope to reaffirm their dominance over the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras when they collide anew in the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Jaguars tamed the Cobras, 80-72, during their first meeting.

Being the second seed with a 5-1 win-loss record after the elimination round, the Jaguars became an instant threat and are now being considered a serious title contender.

Aside from crushing the Cobras, the Jaguars of coach Edito Salacut also mangled defending champion University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 89-72. They suffered their lone setback at the hands of powerhouse University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 76-89.

The Jaguars have at least two go-to-guys that will play a vital role in their campaign - Abulaiz Suliman and Miguel Tabaloc. They can also rely on the likes of Banjo Capillar, Jason Olbedado, James Regalado and Renato Abing.      

On the side of the Cobras, Justin Aboude needs to double his efforts especially that his fellow Cameroonian recruit Benoit M'bala is nursing from a knee injury he sustained during their game against the CIT-U Wildcats.

Hence, SWU's other big men such as Bernie Bregondo, Daryl Goloran and Merbien Dedace will have to do their part and compliment their outside gunners in Monbert Arong and Jestoni Casquejo.

In the juniors division, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers are the solid favorites against the CIT-U Wildkittens.

The Baby Lancers will bank on reigning juniors MVP Andres Paul Desiderio along with Ralph Dinolan, Prince Liton Canete, John Phillip del Cerna, Gerald Fernandez, Leonard Santillan, and Ernesto Limitares, Jr.

They will go up against the hard-fighting CIT-U squad manned by Mark Kong, Dean Charles Abatayo, Kevin Ebona, Jonher Espina, Kresner Jabines, Marl Vincent Laguna, Carl Patindol and Charles Singson.  (FREEMAN)