Jaguars survive Warriors

CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR) Jaguars survived a gritty defensive stance by the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors to pull off a 82-78 win in the season-opening match of the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Abulaiz Suliman had a steady showing and apart from leading the offense, he also served as the floor leader in making sure that the Jaguars do not collapse at the height of the Warriors' daring comeback in the finalhalf.

Suliman amassed 21 points and Miguel Tabaloc added 15 markers but it was the clutch baskets by Matthew Parker down the homestretch that helped the Jaguars stay in contention.

Eight straight points by Nilton John Otida in the fourth period, six of them from the free throw line, allowed the Warriors to close within just two points, 78-80, in the final 20 seconds of the contest.

However, USC's chance to win fizzled out when the Warriors missed three consecutive three-point attempts in the closing seconds - one each from Cantonao, Nico Magat and prized rookie in Chinese-American Stephen Que.

Magat's attempt was partially blocked and then Parker stepped at the baseline, allowing the Warriors to take two more attempts from the 3-point lant that proved to be a futile bid.

Two free throws by Banjo Capillar iced the match as the Jaguars finally overcame the Warriors after losing to USC during the past two years by only two points.

James Regalado also had an excellent game to chip in 16 markers for Jaguars.

Que paced the Warriors with 17 points, while Otida and Charles Pepito banged in 13 points apiece. Cantonao and Chino Uy each scored 11 in a losing cause.

Earlier, the Baby Warriors saved the day for USC by scoring a record-setting 120-54 rout of the Baby Jaguars, who scored just one point in an all-time CESAFI low 1-28 count in the first period. - THE FREEMAN