Warriors clash with Jaguars in exciting CESAFI rematch

CEBU, Philippines – League front-runner University of San Carlos Warriors hope to continue their winning ways as they take on the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars in an exciting rematch of streaking teams in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men’s basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Since absorbing their first loss at the hands of the Southwestern University Cobras right at the start of their second round campaign, the Warriors went on to rack up two successive wins, the most recent was via an 83-70 decision over the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats that firmed up their grip of the solo lead with an 8-1 win-loss card.

The Warriors yearn to make it three in a row as they battle the Jaguars at 6:45 p.m.

USC bested USJ-R, 90-75, during their previous encounter barely a month ago, but the wards of coach Britt Rerome could not look past their rivals this time as the Jaguars, under the tutelage of Jun Noel, are also on a hot roll since their heart-breaking 77-79 loss to the University of the Visayas Green Lancers.

In that game, the Jaguars were starting at victory in the closing seconds of the contest only to be spoiled by a killer, last-second 3-pointer of Alfred Codilla.

Nevertheless, the Jaguars have shown they are capable of decking an upset over their favored foes. After downing the Wildcats, the Jaguars exacted vengeance at the Cobras, 68-63, although they need an extra five-minute period before pulling off that trick over the depleted, but big-hearted defending champions.

But then again, the 4-5 Jaguars must brace for another uphill battle against the Warriors, who are replete with talents that could ring a bell even if their Cameroonian  import  Shooster Olago is  not performing well.

Armed with deadly slashers and prolific outside shooters in Ian Tagapan, Nico Magat, Victor Rabat and  Ian Ortega, they also have a dreaded backcourt rotation in Christian Maconocido, Giovanni Laguyo and Keifer Lim.  At the post, they have a reliable combo in Maverick Suarez and William McAloney.

For the Jaguars, playing without a foreign reinforcement is of course a downside. Luckily for them, they have a bunch of locals who can make a difference each game in the mold of Kevin Villafranca, Ralph Dinolan, Mark Labares, Nelvin Navarra, Ricky Peromingan, Jaybee Mantilla, and Miguel Gastador.

Before the Warriors and the Jaguars collide, the USC Baby Warriors and the University of Cebu Junior Webmasters will start their semifinal campaign as they go up against each in the opener at 5:15 p.m. The Baby Warriors prevailed over the Junior Webmasters by nine points, 76-67, in their first meeting last August 8. (FREEMAN)