USJ-R takes on USPF Panthers in last quarterfinal game of Cesafi seniors basketball

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

5 p.m. – UV vs. USPF (Jrs.)

6:30 p.m. – USJ-R vs. USPF (Srs.)

The second-seeded University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars aim to move on to the next round but will have to go through an opponent that nearly beat them in the elimination round in the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers today in the quarterfinals of the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Jaguars finished the preliminary round  with a 5-1 (win-loss) record, earning for themselves a twice-to-beat advantage over the Panthers.

They are hoping, though, that they will not get to use the said bonus. But the Panthers are expected to put up a gallant fight, especially after losing by a mere point in their preliminary encounter last Aug. 27.

USJ-R’s Renato Abing saved the day for the Jaguars as he sank the game-winning layup with nine seconds left for a 75-74 win.

At stake today will a seat in the semifinals. Already in the semis are the University of the Visayas, University of Cebu and the Southwestern University.

USJ-R will lean on its all-star frontline of Miguel Tabaloc and Abulaiz Suliman, who is hobbled by a shin injury that he suffered during practice over the weekend.

The Panthers will counter with James Ferraren, Fritz Dajalos and all-star wingman, Joseph Sedurifa.