CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors used a definitive fourth quarter run to turn back the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) Jaguars, 76-70, in the Cebu City Mayor's Cup Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
With the win, USC improved to 2-1 win-loss record with a chance of claiming the second place of the tournament depending on the result of the game between San Beda Red Lions (2-0) and University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers (1-1) at press time.
Miguel Plata top scored USC with 18 points, while Tuyambe Espoir chipped in 15 points as Ian Ortega added 12 points.
It was a tightly contested first half before the Jaguars erected a five point lead, 57-52, going into the final period.
Cameroonian center Quentin Luzoladio and James Regalado and Raymond Catipay carried the offensive load for the Jaguars as they hold a 66-61 advantage in the final 5:03 of the game, but the Warriors made an adjustment as they slowly came back in the game.
Plata’s trey tied the game, 66-all in the 3:37. With the game tied, the Warriors banked on Ortega who delivered the goods giving USC a 72-70 lead with 1:14 remaining.
Mart Mutya tried to answer back for the Jaguars, but he was blocked by Espoir as he goes up to the basket. Jaguars failed to capitalize on their possessions as Ortega and Kieffer Lim sinked their free-throws that sealed the win for USC.
Luzoladio tallied 17 points, while Mutya and Regalado had with 14 and 13 points respectively for USJR who failed to grab a win in the tournament. — (FREEMAN)