CEBU, Philippines - As the Ave Maria Sanctuary Park-USJR Jaguars try to become the first team to win two CESAFI Partner's Cup titles, the San Marino Corned Tuna-USC Warriors are bent on continuing the streak that there is a new champion each season.
Games today: (Cebu Coliseum)
2:30 pm - Ave Maria-USJR vs. CIT-Bibbo
(Jrs. for 3rd place)
4 pm Aerosol - USPF vs. PTT Fuels-UV
(Srs. for 3rd place)
5:30 pm - Ave Maria-USJR vs. San Marino-USC
(Srs. championship)
Game 1 of the best-of-five championship series unfolds today at the Cebu Coliseum.
History is on the side of the Warriors, but they have to work hard to prove that it was no fluke when they nosed out powerhouse UV Lancers, the nine-time CESAFI regular season champions.
The Jaguars will be banking on experience, but the Warriors have overcome the “immature” label because their youthful crew has been showing strength and have been so impressive.
Manpower build-up is an added boost for the Jaguars with the acquisition of three veterans filling all three positions vital to their titular campaign – point guard Armand Ponce, forward Jabe Delfino and Mannie Gabas to man at the middle.
They will complement Kurt Amores, Edwin Bibera, Marvin Duran, Aniceto Lapiz Jr. and Joseph Villaver.
The overachieving Warriors on the other hand will pin their hopes on pull-up shooter Giovanni Padillo, streak shooter Michael Cantonao, Sam Hermosa, Jabe Bautista, Edward Bakker and the much-improved center Joven Cid
Cortes.
Earlier today, the PTT Fuels-UV Lancers battle against the Aerosol-USP Panthers for third place in the collegiate division in a best-of-three series. In the opener, the Ave Maria-USJR Baby Jaguars take on the Bibbo-CIT Wildkittens in their own best-of-three battle for third place in the secondary division.
The secondary finals will be held on April 21 yet because the Baby Lancers are not available against the Enervon-UC Junior Webmasters as they are seeing action in the Palarong Pambansa in Tarlac. (GGM) (FREEMAN NEWS)