USJ-R, USC dispute third place standing

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

4 p.m. – Don Bosco vs USJ-R (Jrs.)

5:30 p.m. – CEC vs UC (Jrs.)

7 p.m. – USJ-R vs USC (Srs.)

The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors battle it out in the final day of the elimination round to see who gets the higher seed in the quarterfinals of the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

The two teams are currently tied for third place in the standings with identical 3-2 (win-loss) records. The winner of today’s match will engage the sixth-seed University of Cebu Webmasters in the quarterfinals while the loser settles for the fourth seed and a date with the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats.

Both USJ-R and USC  will have a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round by virtue of their top four finish.

The Warriors will head into today’s match-up two men short following the one-game suspensions that were handed out to Charles Pepito and Dominic Adlawan for their roles in the scuffle that happened during last Saturday night’s game against UC at the USC gym.

Still, USC appears to have the upper hand with the presence of their high-leaping and hardworking import Ahmed Salihou, who has been averaging a double-double in this competition.

USJ-R expects to counter with their front court composed of veterans Matthew Parker and Miguel Tabaloc.