USC rallies past USJ-R in Partner’s Cup caging

The Raphael’s Sports Bar-University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars came so close but eventually fell short as they suffered their fourth loss in a row via a 78-79 setback to the Cebu Landmasters-University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in the 2013 Enervon-Cesafi Partner’s Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Not even a two-man advantage could help the Jaguars as they collapsed in the face of a furious fourth-period rally by the Warriors.

Cebu Landmasters improved to 2-2 (win-loss) while Raphael’s fell to 0-4.

The Jaguars played five against four in the second and third periods since USC was two men short in the absence of African Ahmed Salihou and Garrick Ayala.

The Jaguars were ahead 62-50 heading to the final canto. The Warriors, though, staged a rally behind guards Stephen Que and Ian Ortega to eventually take the lead.

USJ-R had several chances to retake the lead but Matthew Parker flubbed the go-ahead basket with just seconds remaining in the game.

Big man Charles Pepito had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way while Que and Ortega wound up with 12 and 10 respectively, most of which came in the final stretch.

Parker paced Raphael’s with 16 points and four boards.

In the first game, the Prime Asia-University of the Visayas Green Lancers snatched their fourth win in a row after they clobbered the San Marino-Cebu Institute of Technology Wildcats, 91-73.

Cesafi Rookie of the Year-MVP Wowie Escosio had 13 points while African Mike Harry and Angelo Babia had 10 apiece as Prime Asia hiked its record up to 4-0. San Marino evened its card up at 2-2.