Games today (Cebu Coliseum)
1 p.m. – USPF vs. USJ-R
2:30 p.m. – CIT-U vs. UV
4 p.m. – UC vs. USC
An explosive Saturday showdown is in the offing today when the University of San Carlos Warriors tangle with the University of Cebu Webmasters for the right to grab the third seed in the Final Four of the 17th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
Though the two squads are already assured of spots in the semifinals, which begin next week, it remains to be seen which will claim the third and fourth seed.
The fourth seed will get unenviable task of facing off against the reigning champions University of the Visayas, needing to win twice to advance to the championship round while the third seed gets set up against the second seed University of San Jose-Recoletos, which also owns a win-once advantage in the next round.
The odds are against UC in today’s match as they need to beat USC by more than five points in order to claim the third seed. The Warriors bested the Webmasters, 67-62, in their first round encounter.
UC head coach Yayoy Alcoseba specifically pointed out the need to crash the boards against the tall frontline of USC, as well as limit their turnovers so as not to fuel the high-octane attack of the Warriors.
Meanwhile in other games, the USJ-R Jaguars seek to enter the semis with a little bit of momentum, as they battle the University of Southern Philippines Foundation.
UV will also try to run their winning streak to 11 games when they face off against the league’s worst squad, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University.