Cesafi preview: USJ-R, USPF

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

4 p.m. – UV vs. USC (Juniors)

5:45 p.m. – UV vs. UC (Seniors)

WITH THE CEBU Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) finally unveiling its 13th season today, Cebu Daily News also wraps up its series of previews by taking a look at two teams likely to have contrasting fates this year—the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers.

University of Southern Philippines Foundation

Tough times lie ahead for the Panthers with just four players returning from last year’s squad.

USPF’s misfortunes actually started long before the preseason as they lost top wingman James Ferraren for the season due to an ACL injury. Also gone from the team are two other stalwarts in top forward Fritz Dajalos and the team’s only all-star, Joseph Sedurifa.

With that, longtime head coach Raul Latonio will have to make do with the pieces they have, namely forward Art Camello and center, Jomari Sollano.

Nicknamed “Boy Bato,” Camello has definitely earned the moniker for his rugged style of play and his propensity to plow through defenders to get either a basket or a rebound. Fearless in spite of his lack of size for the power forward spot, Camello will be looked upon as their rock by this very shaky Panthers team.

Sollano on the other hand, is the team’s only center and is expected to anchor the interior with both his shot-blocking skills and savvy offense.

University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars

After suffering through what team skipper James Regalado described as “the worst preseason performance” they’ve ever had, the Jaguars are looking forward to better days.

Regalado, a crafty point guard who once donned the jersey of the University of the East Red Warriors in the UAAP, said that brighter days are coming for the Recoletos school, which placed third in last year’s tournament. In spite of their lack of height, the Jaguars of fiery head coach Edito Salacut aim to make up for it with blazing speed.

“We don’t have the height to match up with the bigger teams so we’ll just have to play aggressive defense, force turnovers and play a fast-paced game,” assessed Regalado, who had to endure a rough and tough showing in the Partner’s Cup, where they managed to win just one out of their 11 outings in that tournament.

The Jaguars come into this season with visions of success in their heads owing to their recruitment of Rendell Senining from the juniors champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles.

Senining’s addition is expected to cushion the blow of the departure of MVP-candidate Abulaiz Sulaiman, Renato Abing and Banjo Capilar.

Senining’s decision to stay home raised eyebrows after several top-flight schools were literally banging on his door to lure the 5-foot-7 speedster to their stable. Several of his class’ top talents who chose to take their act to Manila include UV’s Paul Desiderio (UP) and Senining’s former Eagles teammates Arc Gabrielle Araw-Araw (UST) and Dawn Ochea (Adamson).

Though officially a rookie, Senining certainly does not play the part as he debuted in the Partner’s Cup with 20 points. And the former Jr. NBA national team member is expected to do more come the Cesafi season.

Senining will also be joined in the Jaguars team with another juniors teammate of his in Fletcher Galvez. The lanky forward is expected to provide an inside presence alongside veteran forward Jose Tabaloc, Kyle Lajato and the broad-shouldered yet fleet-footed Matthew Parker./Correspondent Jonas Panerio