USJ-R sweeps USC to nail second Partner's Cup title

CEBU, Philippines - The Ave Maria Sanctuary Park-USJR Jaguars continued with what they have started, consummating a three-game sweep of the San Marino Corned Tuna-USC Warriors in convincing fashion, 82-68, to clinch the seniors division championship of the 4th CESAFI Partner's Cup last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Except for the 12-all standoff at the end of the first period, the Jaguars went on to dominate all three quarters. The resilient Warriors did manage to put up a gallant stand but all they could managed was to tie thc count anew at 37-all on Sam Hermosa's basket.

After Aniceto Lapiz, Jr. sank a triple to put USJ-R back on top, 40-37, the Jaguars have been relentless in their attacks undermining a couple of defensive stops by the Warriors.

As usual, veteran cagers Mannie Gabas and Armand Ponce paced the Jaguars of coach Edito Salacut with 16 and 12 points, respectively. Kurt Amores, who was shooting well from the foul line, added 11 markers as they became the first team to collect two Partner's Cup crowns.

"They really showed a lot of hardwork," said Ave Maria Sanctuary Park team owner Raffy Senining.

The Jaguars made sure that Giovanni Padillo and Michael Cantonao will not be a part of USC's scoring unit and they succeeded as the two San Marino star players were held off to a paltry 11 points combined.

It was Hermosa who topped USC with a game-high 31 points but his singular offensive outburst was not enough to pump up life to the Carolinians.

Earlier, the PTT Fuels-UV Lancers and the Ave Maria-USJR Baby Jaguars settled for third place honors in their respective levels.  

The Lancers fired 14 triples as they gunned down Aerosol-USPF Panthers, 79-73, in the collegiate division, while the Baby Jaguars preyed on the undermanned Bibbo-CIT Wildkittens to hack out a 94-70 victory.

The scores

First game

(Juniors for 3rd)

Ave Maria-USJR (94) - Escatron 20, Muñez 20, Trozo 16, Autentico 13, Alob 11, R. Senining 4, Senining 4, Montecillo 2, Legaspi 2, Eborlas 2

Bibbo-CIT (70) - Batiquin 12, Tejam 11, Limalima 10, Sanchez 9, Bancale 9, Figuracion 8, Gera 7, Pamaong 4 Halftime: 51-22

Second game

(Seniors for 3rd)

PTT Fuels-UV (79) - Lao 15, Cincoflores 15, Mercader 13, Calo 10, Silva 6, Olivares 5, Abad 4, Perolino 3, Señeris 3, Manigque 2

Aerosol-USPF (73) - Rivera 17, Durano 11, Fuentes 10, Dajalos 10, Tinoy 8, Ferraren 7, Filoteo 6, Sereño 4 Halftime: 37-36

Third game

(Seniors, Finals)

Ave Maria-USJR (82) - Gabas 16, Ponce 12, Amores 11, Villaver 10, Dela Peña 9, Delfino 7, Dela rama 4, Duran 4, Lapiz 3, Senining 3

San Marino-USC (68) - Hermosa 31, Cortes 13, Bautista 7, Padillo 6, Cantonao 5, Panerio 4, Bakker 2 Halftime: 34-28   (FREEMAN NEWS)