USC Warriors pound USPF Panthers for 2-0 record

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The University of San Carlos Warriors underlined their desire to become champions by stretching their record to 2-0, and are now the early leader in CESAFI collegiate standings after slaughtering the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers, 86-57, Thursday night, August 10, at the New Cebu Coliseum.

In the junior contest earlier, the University of San Jose Recoletos Baby Jaguars opened this year’s season with a 96-66 annihilation of the Cebu Eastern College Dragons.

Leading the charge for the Warriors were Joshua Magic Marata and John Reel Saycon with 12 points apiece. Kevin Oleodo and Victor Rabat also added 9 points each for USC’s second straight win.

The Panthers’ Edwin Villarta actually scored more for his team with 13 points but was also the only one who scored in double digits. Lyndon Colina finished with 8 points while John Allain Alocillo and Roy Quiachon contributed 7 points each.

The Panthers, who absorbed their first loss of the season, never had a chance against the first runner-up as they trailed throughout.

The closest they could get near to the Warriors was at 5 points, 22-27, on Rodelio Cauba Jr.’s basket in the second quarter.

From there, the Warriors built on their lead and never looked back. At some point, their lead ballooned to 34 points, 68-34, on Bryan Divinagracia’s basket just a few minutes before the final canto.

Aside from having a better shooting percentage than the Panthers, the Warriors also worked better as a team managing 23 assists as against the Panthers’ only 10.

The Panthers also had one player thrown out of the ballgame, Mike Patalinghug for an unsportsmanlike foul.

It was almost the same story in the junior contest as the Dragons also never managed to take the upperhand against the Baby Jaguars. 

John Kirck Gonzaga exploded with 22 points to lead the Jaguars with Elmer Echavez and Johndel Robles adding 18 and 10 points, respectively.

Topscoring for the Dragons with 16 points was James Tempra who was only fielded in the second half. Vhann Joshua Baruc cashed in 15 points while Eds Daniel Vallena added 9 points.

Games Saturday, August 12

1 p.m. – DBTC vs UV (High School)

2:30 pm – CITU vs SHS-AdC (High School)

4 pm – CEC vs USPF (High School)

5:30 pm – SWU vs USJR (College) 

 

Scores – College

USC Warriors (86) – Marata 12, Saycon 12, Oleodo 9, Rabat 9, Araw-Araw 6, Cadavis 6, Labiste 6, Mangubat 6, Ecarma 5, Tan 5, Divinagracia 4, Cabañog 3, Aranas 2, Oguis 1. 

USPF Panthers (57) – Villarta 13, Colina 8, Alocillo 7, Quiachon 7, Batac 6, Patalinghug 6, Cuyos 3, Avancena 2, Cada 2, Cauba 2, Managor 1.

Scores – High school

USJR Baby Jaguars (96) – Gonzaga 22, Echavez 18, Robles 10, Leonora 8, Abarquez 6, Ando 6, Monte De Ramos 6, Ranara 6, Teleron 4, Guibao 3, Puntual 3.

CEC Dragons (66) – Tempra 16, Baruc 15, Vallena 9, Galarse 8, Gabutero 6, Tiu 6, Gaid 3, Ozon 2, Labalan 1. – Rappler.com