MARKED MAN. Due to his staggering stats, University of Cebu import Frederick Elombi (center) can expect a crowded lane and a more physical defense to be thrown at him in today’s start of the semifinal round of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc., (Cesafi) basketball tournament.
USJ–R, UC teams open semifinal rd
Games today (Cebu Coliseum)
SEMIFINALS
5 p.m. – USJ-R vs UC (High School)
6:30 p.m. – USJ-R vs UC (College)
The University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars will try to advance to the championship round today, but first must overcome what is expected to be a determined University of Cebu Webmasters in the semifinals of the 17th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament over at the Cebu Coliseum.
USJ-R and UC tangle at 6:30 p.m. following the winner-take-all match between its high school squads in the stepladder playoffs of the juniors division.
With the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers sweeping the elimination round to earn an outright spot in the championship round, the Baby Jaguars and Baby Webmasters are left to face off for the right to take on the four-time defending champions SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles.
In the college division, the Jaguars are aiming to make it to the finals for the first time since the 2009-2010 season where they lost to the UV Green Lancers. But standing in their way is UC’s prized find from Cameroon, Frederick Elombi, who has tore up the league in his rookie season, with averages of 24.2 points, 15.3 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.
USJ-R’s veteran mentor Jun Noel divulged that if his team can lessen Elombi’s production by just 20%, they would have a better chance of winning.
He has also marked UC’s local crew led by JR Puerto, John Jabello and Justine Dacalos as players they need to clamp on.
“We have to limit the production of the locals. UC is a strong team and well-coached but the Jaguars will fight to the end to win and qualify for the finals,” said Noel.
For UC assistant coach Rafael Alcoseba, Xs and Os can already be thrown out the window after splitting the season series with USJ-R. The Webmasters won over the Jaguars in the first round, 87-85, but the latter paid them back with an 87-83 win in the second round.
“No more Xs and Os. We know them. They know us,” said the son of UC head coach Yayoy Alcoseba.
Alcoseba also urged his local players to aid Elombi by staying locked in on defense and aggressive on offense.
UC’s defense will be put to the test as they try to slow down leading MVP contender Jaybie Mantilla, who comes in all-around numbers of 17.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 steals. His runningmate, RJ Dinolan, is also a marked man with his averages of 14.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.