Jaguars survive gritty Warriors

The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars came up with a gritty defensive stand in the dying seconds to repulse the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 82-78, in the opening game in the seniors division of the 12th Cesafi basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Jaguars led by 13 points early in the game but the game was sent to a cardiac finish near the end as the Warriors came storming back with their last eight points scored by crack guard Nilton Otida, the last two coming off freethrows, which put them within two, 78-80.

The lead was pushed to three after guard Banjo Capilar split his charities with 19.5 seconds left.  With the door ajar, newly installed head coach, Julian Macoy sued for time to set up a game-tying play.

However, the Jaguars were more than up to the challenge as they came up with three blocked shots on USC’s last possession. They first denied Nico Magat’s attempt from the corner and after the Warriors came away with the offensive board, the Jaguars stopped Chinese guard Stephen Que on his three-point try from the wing. USC regained possession for the last time but USJ-R eradicated Michael Cantonao’s trey attempt from the opposite corner.

Capilar sealed the win by making a freethrow with 1.3 seconds remaining.  Popoy Sulaiman led the winners with 21 points.

In the juniors game, the USC Baby Warriors humiliated the USJ-R Baby Jaguars, 120-54.  The game was settled after the first period, which ended with USC ahead, 28-1.

The one-point output put the Baby Jaguars in the record books with the worst-ever output in the opening canto.