Jaguars claw back to beat Wildcats

Games today:

USJ-R Basak

5 p.m. – UV vs. USPF (Srs.)

6:45 p.m. – USC vs. UC (Srs.)

The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars showed a fighting heart unseen so far this season as they came back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth period to thwart the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 81-76, and join the semifinal cast in the 13th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament last night at the USJ-R gym in Basak.

The odds were stacked against the Jaguars as they faced a 45-61 deficit after a basket by CIT-U’s star rookie Joshua dela Cerna. But USJ-R was undaunted and showed both passion and precision in an incredible 21-4 run that gave the Jaguars a 66-65 lead after a floater by Miguel Tabaloc under four minutes remaining.

Tabaloc finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. James Regalado added 17 while Rendell Senining had 13. Fletcher Galvez chipped in 11.

Galvez sparked the run with five quick points then Tabaloc and guards Regalado and Christian Parker got in on the scoring parade to chop away at the lead.

The Jaguars surged ahead, 74-69, after a corner three by Rendell Senining with 1:25 left. But USJ-R wasn’t out of the woods just yet as the Wildcats mounted a comeback of their own to tie the game at 76-all off a three-point play made by Floyd Taboada with 31.4 seconds remaining.

Tabaloc donned the hero’s cape and saved the game for USJ-R with his veteran smarts as he completed a three-point play to give the Jaguars a 79-76 lead with 13.2 seconds left. The Jaguars came up with a defensive stop as Senining forced a jumpball with the possession arrow pointing in their favor. Tabaloc calmly made two free-throws to seal the victory.

Dela Cerna led the Wildcats with 26 while Taboada scored 25.

In the juniors division, the Cebu Eastern College Dragons advanced to the next round with an 83-66 win over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation.