Wildcats upset Jaguars

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats stunned the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 69-63, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum over the weekend.

It was a back and forth battle that was accounted for four deadlocks and seven lead changes before the Wildcats pulled away for a six-point stunner over the Jaguars.

Jerian Marc Abello was the man of the hour for CIT-U, exploding for 27 points on top of three rebounds and a steal as the Wildcats notched their second victory in five starts.

Edgar Steven Sajol and John Patrek Cardosa also shined brightly for the Wildcats with 12 points each.

 Elmer Echavez scored 26 points and pulled down eight boards but got no ample support from the rest of his teammates resulting to the Jaguars falling down to 3-3.

In the juniors division, Lian Kent Basa and Coriantumr Cabantog stole the show as the two-time defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles outclassed the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, 64-48.

Basa netted 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Cabantog added 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists for the Magis Eagles, who forged a three-way tie on top of the table with the USJ-R Baby Jaguars and the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters on identical 6-1 win-loss records.

The Baby Lancers scored the game s first five points but the Magis Eagles rallied back with savvy to wrest the driver s seat at halftime, 28-24, before launching a searing 20-11 run in the third frame to send the Baby Lancers reeling the rest of the way.

Roderick Cambarijan cashed in 15 points and 11 rebounds while Nathan de la Torre finished with 10 points, three rebounds and two assists but to no avail as the Baby Lancers fell to 5-2.

In the other result, the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC)-Cebu Greywolves courageously climbed out of a 16-point hole in the second quarter to fend off the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Baby Mustangs, 75-73.

The Greywolves trailed 23-39 late in the first half but steadily chiseled the deficit away as the match progressed before eventually completing an amazing two-point escape to the delight of the Bosconian community.

James Kennedy Plano produced a double-double show of 18 points and 11 rebounds laced with three steals, Carmelson Abangan chipped in with 13 markers and 10 boards, while Angelo de la Cruz and Dirk Louis Baguio connived for 23 points as the Greywolves triumphed for only the second time in seven games.