USJ-R finally nails first win

After what has been a lackadaisical showing in the elimination round, the Raphael’s Sports Bar-University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars had a glimmer of light shine upon their campaign as they scored their first win of the tournament after beating the Cebu Landmasters-University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 78-73, in the Enervon-Cesafi Partner’s Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Jaguars went through nine straight losses before tasting a win. But it was well worth the wait as they rallied in the fourth period to upend the Warriors.

They trailed by double digits and were still down seven, 47-54, at the start of the final canto when veterans James Regalado and Kyle Lajato stepped up in the final stretch.

Regalado tallied 11 of his 18 points in the fourth buoyed by two key three-pointers while Lajato was a force down low and had eight of his 14 in that same stretch.

All in all, USJ-R outscored USC, 31-19, in the fourth. The Jaguars improved to 1-9 (win-loss), good for the sixth and last seed in the quarterfinals, while the Warriors fell to 5-5.

In other games, the San Marino-Cebu Institute of Technology Wildcats blasted the Lion Tiger-University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers, 84-71, to tie the Warriors in the standings.

The Wildcats and the Warriors will duke it out for the third and fourth seed in a one-game playoff on Thursday.

Vincent Menguito fueled a 28-13 breakaway in the third by scoring 16 of his 20 points in that frame.

Lion Tiger finished the round with a 3-7 record and take the fifth seed in the playoffs.

In the last game yesterday, Prime Asia-University of the Visayas (10-0) swept its elimination round games by beating the Gaisano Capital South-University of Cebu (6-4), 86-78.  Both teams advance to the semis outright.