Cheetahs try to bolster Final 4 bid in crucial match vs Jaguars

CEBU, Philippines — The Benedicto College Cheetahs hope to enhance their bid for a historic Final Four appearance right in their maiden season in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI).

But it will be no easy task as the Cheetahs of coach BJ Murillo will be going up against the heavily favored University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in the 23rd CESAFI men’s basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Game time is set at 3:30 p.m.

After completing a clean 3-0 sweep of their fellow league newcomers, the Cheetahs found themselves at fifth place in the college division standings with a 4-3 win-loss record.

They’re just one game behind the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers and the Jaguars who are at joint third and fourth spots with identical 5-2 slates.

Against the Jaguars, the Cheetahs are in a must-win situation so as to bolster their chances of making it to the last round of four.

In the other collegiate match-up, the 2-5 Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats will go up against the 1-6 Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras.

In the juniors category, it’s going to be a battle royale between the undefeated University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) Baby Webmasters and the defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-Adc) Magis Eagles in the 12:30 p.m. opener.

UCLM is currently on top of the leaderboard with an unblemished 7-0 slate but the Magis Eagles are at close second with a 6-1 card.

In the second game at  2 p.m., the UC Baby Webmasters and the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, both sporting 5-2 records, will slug it out for the solo third spot. — (FREEMAN)