CIT-U, USPF boost case for finals spot in Mayor Cabaron hoops

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) boosted their chances for a spot in the finals of the 1st Mayor Inocentes Cabaron Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament after securing their second wins on April 21 at the Moalboal Municipal Gym.

CIT-U, which lost to mighty University of the Visayas on Day 2, sent the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) packing, 94-67, in a match that was only close in the first quarter. With a 2-1 lead, CIT-U will shoot for a finals slot for a chance to fight for the P200,000 top prize against the University of Cebu (UC) on Sunday.

The Jaguars trailed 19-9 but inched closer 19-15, thanks to back-to-back steals at the end of the first quarter. But they failed to sustain their offensive load while CIT-U’s Justin Mondares poked holes at their defense on the way to a 24-point night. Jeco Bancale added 15, while Jim Taala had 14.

Daniel Rodriguez was the lone bright spot for USJ-R with 12 points but he went scoreless in the fourth.

On the other hand, USPF had to dig deep to beat a game UC, 71-65, for its second win. A three-point play by Jhay Paraldo at the buzzer in the first gave UC, which lost to UV on opening day, a 20-17 lead before Ken Gato answered with a last-gasp triple at the end of half-time to give USPF a 37-35 lead.

UC rallied back in the third to seize a 52-49 lead but the Panthers’ quickness and chemistry got them back on top in the fourth for their second win. Gato and Alje Mendez led USPF with 12 and 10 respectively, while Paraldo and Michael Diaz combined for 23 points for UC.

However, luck isn’t on the side of the Panthers as they will take on UV April 28. If CIT-U beats UC on Sunday, it’s going to be the Wild Cats and the Green Lancers in the finals, but if the Webmasters surprise CIT-U, USPF will need to beat UV for a slot in the finals. Should both CIT-U and USPF lose their final matches, both teams finish at 2-2 with CIT-U advancing to the finals by virtue of the winner-over-the-other rule.

Meanwhile, at 0-2, both the Jaguars and the Webmasters still have more than pride to play as winning even just one of their last two matches means the difference between going home with the consolation prize of P20,000 and a chance to fight for the P100,000 third place trophy.