USJ-R jrs. nip USPF

CEBU, Philippines - Clint Muñez had a splendid 31-point performance as the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars thwarted a gritty third-quarter rally by the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers to close out a scary 82-78 victory yesterday in the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season at the Cebu Coliseum.  

The Jaguars, who lost a 13-point lead twice - 43-30 at halftime and at 51-38 late in the third period incidentally on Muñez's triple, had to scramble when the Baby Panthers made an amazing 27-8 run bridging the third and fourth periods to snatch the driver's seat, 65-62. Muñez though ended USJ-R's scoring drought and then June Arthur Go split his charities to knot the count at 65-all with still 5:55 left to play.

Joshua Corilles gave the Baby Panthers their last taste of the lead, 69-67, as the Baby Jaguars went alive anew when Arlister Escatron completed a three-point play to put the Baby Jaguars on top for good, 72-69, at the final 3:50 mark.

Trozo was the second Baby Jaguar to finish in double figures with 18 points.

Corcilles topscored for the Baby Panthers with 25 points, but the missing factor was Rommel Diapera who was held off to just 10 points.

The Baby Panthers could have easily breezed past the Baby Jaguars had all three three-point attempts by Diapera in the payoff period went in but he was chilled by the defense of the Baby Jaguars.

Richard Paul Gigante, who had four triples, finished with 13 points for the Baby Panthers while Christian Baguio had 10 points.

The scores

USJ-R (82) - Muñez 31, Trozo 18, Autentico 8, Go 8, Esatron 5, Figues 4, Alob 4, Senining 3, Montecillo 2

USPF (78) - Corcilles 25, Gigante 13, Diapera 10, Baguio 10, Arong 8, Catipay 6, Rosales 3, Miñoza 1, Silao 1, Tumulak 1 Halftime: 43-30   (THE FREEMAN)