Jaguars rout UCLM for first win

CEBU, Philippines — The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) handed coach Roger Yap his first win as the Jaguars pummeled the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM), 75-46, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament Thursday night, September 17, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Alcher Obra unloaded 23 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and a block, while Chan Bennedict Brigoli added 13 points, two rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block to help the Jaguars snap a two-game losing skid.

After a hot 20-10 start, the Jaguars held UCLM to just four points in the second period while pouring in 23 to build a huge 43-14 advantage at halftime.

The Jaguars kept up their relentless offensive attack in the second half, stretching their lead to as many as 32 points late in the lopsided contest.

USJ-R shot an efficient 27-of-51 from the field, while UCLM struggled from the floor, making just 13 of 65 attempts.

Marty Louisse Sotto finished with 12 points and five rebounds for UCLM, which suffered its third loss in four games.

In the juniors division, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Junior Wildcats caught fire in the second quarter and sustained their momentum the rest of the way to trounce the PAREF Springdale School Titans, 88-61.

The Junior Wildcats trailed by a hairline, 18-19, after the first 10 minutes of play but staged a scorching 16-3 rally midway through the second frame to seize control, 43-30, at the break.

The Junior Wildcats padded their lead to 63-41 after three quarters before it snowballed to 32 points in the closing minutes.

Geoffe Vhon Partosa exploded for 29 points for CIT-U on a dazzling 11-of-15 shooting from the field, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

Vincent Zamora chipped in 13 points, nine rebounds, an assist, and two steals, while Skeril Miez Basilisco contributed 2 points, four rebounds, three steals, and three blocks as the Junior Wildcats improved to 2-1.

Riche Sarmiento II delivered an explosive 30-point performance for Springdale laced with two rebounds and two steals, while Anton Lorenzo Gratones scattered 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block. But their efforts went for naught as the Titans suffered their third consecutive defeat.