M. Lhuillier Summer Basketball Challenge: USC, USJ-R clinch top two spots

The University of San Carlos (USC ) Warriors and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars dismantled separate foes last Sunday to claim the top two spots going into the semifinal round of the 1st M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Summer Basketball Challenge at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

4:30 pm USC vs. SWU

6:00 pm USJ-R vs. ACT

The USC Warriors preyed on the erractic plays of the Asian College of Technology (ACT) Cyber Knights in the windup to walk away with an 88-81 victory, while the USJ-R Jaguars easily manhandled the Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Skyblazers, 116-92.

USC and USJ-R actually finished the classification round with similar 4-2 win-loss records, but the Warriors obtained the top seeding by virtue of winner-over-the-other rule.

Nevertheless, they both enjoy twice-to-beat incentives against their respective foes in today’s crossover semifinals still at the Coliseum. In the first game at 4:30 pm, USC will take on the fourth-ranked Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, while USJ-R battles the third seed ACT in the main game at 6 pm.

The SWU Cobras completed their elimination round campaign with a 104-66 shellacking of the Don Bosco College Greywolves.

The ACT Cyber Knights got off to a sizzling start and took a 22-17 advantage after the first period. But that was their only bright moment as the Warriors rallied back in the second quarter to grab the lead at halftime, 42-39, for good.

First game

USJ-R (116) - Justiniani 22, Villaber 13, De la Peña 11, Patiño 11, Delfino 10, Amores 10, Malinao 10, Babiera 8, Soliman 6, Ponce 5, Duran 5, Senining 4, Gudez 1

SCSIT (92) - J. Tampus 21, Pacquibot 17, Jabadan 11, K. Tampus 8, Amarado 8, Bacayo 8, Aleguio 6, Rabaya 3

Quarter scores:31-22, 52-39, 84-67, 116-92

Second game

SWU (104) - Poligrates 23, Litorja 12, Zanoria 11, Armecin 8, Django 8, Kwong 6, Belande 6, Jalandoni 6, Caytona 4, Maguate 4, Ceniza 2, Tilap 2

DBC (66) - De los Santos 14, Enterina 13, Tecson 11, Lumapas 10, De la Rama 9, Anagap 9, Juntilla 7, Perturbos 3

Quarterscores:42-12, 65-25, 83-55

Third game

USC (88) - Hermosa 27, Padillo 15, Bautista 9, Gallarde 9, Codilla 8, Joven 5, Cortes 4, Bercede 4, Igao 3, Blanes 2, Bakker 2

ACT (81) - Nuñez 27, Vistal 19, Paraguya 13, Suico 10,  Batiancila 4, Aparice 3, Pontemayor 3, Doy 2

Quarterscores:17-22, 42-39, 67-59, 88-81 – EBV