Warriors and Wildkittens battle for last semis slot

FOURTH seed University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors and fifth-ranked Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildkittens will dispute the fourth and last semifinal slot in the secondary division today in the rubbermatch of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball event at the USC gym.

The lone encounter is scheduled at 4 pm.

The Baby Warriors, who is entering the game with a twice-to-beat advantage, lost in the first game, 53-50, last August 27 allowing the Wildkittens to extend the series for today.

Whoever wins today will complete the semifinals cast to join University of Cebu (6-0), University of Southern Philippines Foundation (5-1) and University of the Visayas (4-2).

Last year, the Wildkittens swept the Baby Warriors in the double round elimination, 65-64, in the first game, and 79-52 in the second with the win so wide that it placed CIT as second qualifier to the USP Baby Panthers and have the twice-to-beat advantage.

During the semifinals, the Baby Warriors threatened by scoring a 71-60 victory but the Wildkittens were resilient in the next game, edging the former, 61-59, and marching into the finals. But they lost twice to the Baby Lancers, who eventually won the title.

This year is the reversal of fortune for USC and CIT as the Baby Warriors will have the twice-to-beat advantage.

Their game 1 loss is immaterial should they win today and will take on the UC Junior Webmasters as their next rival.

Robert Gines Codilla and Dan Junior Bercede should have something to do with their offense and some of their teammates should also contribute in scoring in the likes of Jose Aldriane Alocillo, Mark Daniel Caumeran, Joules Frazier Ferrolino, Nilton John Otida, Argel Leo Saberon and Jhon Philip delos Santos.

The Wildkittens need only the aggressiveness in the offense coming from Rein Carlo Augusto, Jordan Isidto, Charles Quiroga, Rex Ybañez Clayton Labagala and Celes Anthony Cabrera, the hero of their victory last week.

Show comments