USJ-R, CIT-U dispute last semis slot in Cesafi hoop

Game today
(Cebu Coliseum)
5 p.m. – USJ-R vs CIT-U (College)

THREE semifinal slots filled, one more left to go.

And that is what the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats will battle for when they tangle in the quarterfinals of the 16th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

With three slots already taken by the Southwestern University-Phinma, the University of the Visayas and the reigning titleholder, University of San Carlos, USJ-R will try to follow suit, needing only to win once to advance to the semifinals, which will begin this weekend.

But the Jaguars will have to earn this one as the Wildcats are not expected to lay down easily, much like their last encounter, which USJ-R won, 95-89.

In that game, sophomore wingman Tricky Peromingan exploded for 30 points, which proved enough to put the Jaguars over the top.

Still, USJ-R will need more than just one man to carry the scoring load. Down to just 10 players due to academic issues of several of their key cogs, the Jaguars are expected to lean on every man in red and white with the likes of All Stars Jaybie Mantilla, RJ Dinolan, Nelvin Navarra and Miguel Gastador being tasked to lead the squad.

For the Wildcats, a team that struggled mightily this season with just one win to show for in the 12-game classification round, they will be hard-pressed to pull off an upset but will soldier on behind the play of graduating guard Marlo Pono and fellow All Star Carmelo Lucena.