CEBU, Philippines - The Ave Maria Sanctuary Park-USJR Jaguars took a commanding 2-0 lead with a repeat 79-68 performance over San Marino Corned Tuna-USC and they shoot for a thee-game sweep when they collide anew with the Warriors in Game 3 of the 4th CESAFI Partner’s Cup best-of-five championship series tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.
Games today
(Cebu Colsieum)
2:30 pm USJ-R vs. CIT (jrs. for 3rd place)
4 pm USPF vs. UV (srs. for 3rd place)
5:30 pm USJ-R vs. USC (Game 3, Finals)
As usual, the Jaguars rode on the experience of Manie Gabas, Jabe Delfino and Kurt Amores in reaffirming their dominance over the Warriors. The formidable troika all finished with 13 points.
The trend is going on the Jaguars’ side because whether it is a high or low-scoring duel, the game in under their control. The Jaguars are now going for two important feats in Partner’s Cup - being the first team to win two titles and becoming the first team to score a sweep since the best-of-five format was introduced.
The Jaguars was in complete command from the start and the best the Warriors could muster was to close within five points, 66-71, late in the fourth period.
The other Jaguars to count on as they go for the jugular tonight are Armand Ponce, Anecito Lapiz and John Villaver among others.
For the Warriors to avoid an embarrassing sweep, they must squeeze the most from star players Giovanni Padillo, Joven Cid Cortes, Edward Bakker, Danilo Belangel, Nilton Otida and Francis Luigi Bercede.
The scores
Ave Maria-USJR (79) - Amores 13, Gabas 13, Delfino 13, Lapiz 8, Dela Rama 6, Abing 6, Ponce 5, Senining 3, Villaver 3, Dela Peña 2, Bibera 2
San Marino-USC (68) - Padillo 17, Codilla 13, Hermosa 11, Cantonao 8, Cortes 5, Bakker 3, Belangel 3, Otida 2, Bercede 2 (FREEMAN NEWS)