Jaguars gun for first win

CEBU, Philippines – The University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars shoot for their first win when they go up against the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men’s basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Jaguars defeated the University of Cebu Webmasters, 85-68, in the season-opening match last August 1 but their win was forfeited by the CESAFI in favor of the Webmasters for non-submission of the ECG medical certificates of their players (read separate story).

As they take on the Wildcats, the Jaguars are actually dealing with a double whammy as they suffered a disappointing loss during their previous match.

The Jaguars, thus, badly need a win to soothe their broken hearts coming from painful defeat at the hands of the University of the Visayas Green Lancers in a game they could have won.

Drawing stellar performances from Jaybie Mantilla, Ralph Dinolan and Juan Miguel Gastador, the Jaguars were about to deliver the upset axe on the heavily favored Lancers after they took a five-point lead, 77-82, with only 1:06 left to play.

Just when victory is within their grasp, the Jaguars suddenly flirted with disaster. Rattled by UV’s pressure defense, the Jaguars committed a string of costly miscues that spelled their doom.

As the Jaguars were in disarray, the Lancers made the most from the opportunity by dropping a 12-0 bomb to close the game and complete a great escape.

Coach Jun Noel and his Jaguars crew will try to forget about that awful experience and refresh their campaign at the same time when they tackle the Wildcats at 6:45 p.m.

The Jaguars could also count on Kevin Villafranca, Nelvin Navarra, Mark Labares, Ricky Peromigan, Renzo Senining, and Edmundo Bayhonan in their quest for a second win in three starts.

The Wildcats, eyeing to check a two-game skid, will rely on the likes of Joshua de la Cerna, Allan Dimco, Jeffrey Taghoy, and Mark Kong among others. In the juniors division match scheduled at 5:15 p.m., the Cebu Eastern College Dragons gun for their second victory when they battle the CIT-U Wildkittens.

The Dragons actually triumphed over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation and Don Bosco Technology Center Greywolves in their first two assignments, but their win against the Baby Panthers was forfeited after the league found out that CEC's Mark James Roa is an overage player. — EBV (FREEMAN)