Jaguars reaffirm dominance vs. Cobras

The Hotel Fortuna-backed University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars reaffirmed their supremacy over the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras with a convincing 71-58 victory in their exhibition game last Sunday at the Don Celestino Martinez, Sr. Memorial Coliseum in Bogo, Cebu.

The Jaguars, who appeared ready for the 2007 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) cage wars, dictated the tempo of the game from start to finish although at one point they were stunned by the Cobras'' rally late in the third period. Lyndon Gudez was in his usual deadly form leading the Jaguars with 16 points even as Armand Ponce and rookie Ferdinand Lusdok banged in 11 points apiece.

After a close first period, the Jaguars waxed hot to break the game wide at halftime, 43-24.

The Cobras, who went to Bogo in full force with 20 players, opened the third period with a 12-0 run to close the gap down to only seven points, 38-45, but then again, the rookie-laden SWU could not sustain its momentum and instead faltered down the stretch.

Chris Litorja topped the Cobras with 15 points followed by Mariano Canonigo with 12 markers.

The Bogo goodwill encounter was organized by the 2007 Bogo Fiesta Execom led by Joseph Lepon in partnership with event promoter Lorenzo "Chao" Sy of the La Fortuna Bakery and Hotel Fortuna.

The scores

USJ-R (71) - Gudez 16, Ponce 11, Lusdok 11, Arpay 8, Gabas 5, Villahermosa 5, Malinao 5, Antigua 4, Lapiz 3, Delfino 2, Hatague 2

SWU (58) - Litorja 15, Canonigo 12, Maguate 9, Balfor 6, Yangco 4, Giangchand 3, Amesin 3, Poligrates 2, Zanoria 2, Pacquiao 1 (GGM)