USJ-R routs CIT-U with sizzling 4th quarter shooting

The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars put on a hot scoring show in the fourth period to vanquish the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 79-66, in the 2013 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

In a game that saw the rousing debut of stellar rookies on both sides, it was the Jaguars who came through with the win with a huge, 17-0 run in the payoff canto that spelled the difference in the tightly contested game.

USJ-R guard Rendell Senining showed he was no ordinary rookie as he debuted with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals to spoil the impressive 30-point, 11-rebound showing of CIT-U’s equally impressive rookie, Joshua dela Cerna.

CIT-U seized a four-point advantage, 61-57, when USJ-R unleashed a crippling run behind the play of Matthew Parker, who scored six straight points including a fastbreak that gave them a 65-61 lead.

The Jaguars were far from finished as James Regalado completed a three-point play, Fletcher Galvez scored on a fastbreak while Senining made a freethrow after a technical foul that was called on Wildcats’ head coach Gilbert Demape.

Veteran forward Miguel Tabaloc put a stamp on the run with a booming three-pointer that gave the Jaguars a 74-61 lead with 1:44 remaining.

Galvez, a prized rookie from the reigning Cesafi juniors champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles, scored 13 points while Tabaloc finished with 12. Christian Parker contributed 10.

Floyd Taboada chipped in 12 for CIT-U, which missed the services of top scorer Allan Dimco, who was disqualified due to academic issues.

BABY LANCERS LEAD

In juniors play, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers grabbed the early lead in the standings after beating the USJ-R Baby Jaguars, 66-57.

The win put them at 2-0 (win-loss) behind the 15 points each by Vimer Canete and Emmanuel Villamor. Jun Manzo and Ernesto Limitares added 10 apiece.

Meanwhile, in respect of the passing of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation’s owner and vice president Oscar “Jun” Jereza, the scheduled juniors match between USPF and the University of Cebu Baby Webmasters was moved to a yet to be determined date.