CESAFI: USJR beats CIT-U to end losing streak

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) Jaguars recovered from two straight losses to repeat their earlier victory over the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 89-78, in the seniors division of the ongoing CESAFI men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday, September 8 at the New Cebu Coliseum.

Ralph Jude Dinolan once again earned best player honors after he topscored for the Jaguars with 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He also pulled down 4 rebounds.

It was Dinolan who gave the Jaguars the lead at 75-74 after splitting his charities with 4:18 remaining in the fourth canto, a lead which they were able to build up to as much as 9 points, the highest in the ballgame, before Nelvin Navarra sealed the win for USJR.

The Wildcats tried to get back into contention by attempting rainbow shots inside the last two-minute mark, however, Dimco and Jeffrey Taghoy all missed their attempts.

USJR and CIT-U engaged in a neck-to-neck battle until the final 4 minutes with the Wildcats leading the first quarter by a point, 17-16, and the third quarter with two points, 62-60. The second quarter had ended in a tie at 36-all. Jose Allan Dimco had a chance to end it in CIT-U’s favor, however, he failed to convert his bonus free throw when he was fouled during a layup just as the buzzer sounded for the halftime break.

The game was deadlocked 14 times with neither team being able to pull away.

Eager to arrest their two-game losing streak, the Jaguars posted a six-point lead halfway in the first quarter. However, Dimco and Mark Christian Kong combined for 9 points to hand the Wildcats a one-point lead, 17-16, at the end of the first quarter.

The game was tied seven times in the second quarter with neither team being able to breakaway as they exchange lead several times.

The third canto was a similar story with the game getting tied five times and eventually ending with the Wildcats once again on top with the slimmest of margins, 62-60.

Dimco led the Wildcats with 23 points while Joshua Romelle dela Cerna, last season’s leader in points, contributed 15 points.

The win put the USJR Jaguars in fourth place alongside the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters as they now tote similar 3-5 win-loss cards while the CIT-U Wildcats dropped to 5^th place with their record of 3-6.

Meanwhile, defending champion Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras hope to extend their winning streak when they face the winless University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers on Thursday, September 10 at the University of San Carlos (USC) Gym. The game will follow the juniors quarterfinal match between the USJR Baby Jaguars and the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Panthers.

Games schedules

Thursday, September 10 at USC Gym

5:15 – USJR vs UV (Juniors quarterfinals)

6:45 – USPF vs SWU (Seniors)

Scores:

USJ-R (87) – Dinolan 22, Villafranca 21, Labares 17, Navarra 11, Gastador 8, Mantilla 8, Risma 3, Bayhonan 1, Senining 0, Peromingan 0.

CIT-U (78) – Dimco 23, Dela Cerna 15, Kong 13, Bucao 10, Lucena 8, Sanchez 5, Pono 4, Taghoy 0, Marquez 0.

Quarter Scores: 16-17; 36-36; 60-62; 87-78. – Rappler.com