USJ-R coach on remaining games: All must-wins Jaguars want to finish in top two, but need to sweep remaining elimination round games

The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters will try to secure the top seed in the Final Four when they take on the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars today in the 2018 Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

At 9-1 (win-loss), UC only needs to win one of their final two games to emerge as the top seed in the semifinal round. They will get their first chance today against a Jaguars squad that is sporting a 6-3 card and is bent on sweeping their remaining games in order to finish in the top two and claim a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.

“It’s a must-win game for us tomorrow (today) so that we can get a top two finish. As a matter of fact, every game from here on out is a must-win situation for us,” said USJ-R head coach Leode Garcia, whose team has now fallen behind the two-time defending champions University of the Visayas for second place in the standings.

UV is riding the crest of a four-game winning streak and now stands at 7-3. They are set to battle the rejuvenated University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in the curtain-raiser at 5 p.m.

“I think the team is peaking at the right time,” said UV head coach Gary Cortes of his squad that started the season slow, losing three of its first six games.

USC, which is at 4-6, has won two straight and is just half a game behind the reeling University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers (5-6) for the fourth spot and the final ticket to the Final Four.

At the forefront of the resurgence is head coach Bong Abad, whose team is doing well in spite of the absence of key guys, forward Kent Cabanog and guard John Aranas, who is no longer with the team.

“We will never quit because if we quit, then someone else will win,” said the former San Miguel Beerman.

Asked what the key is for the sudden turnaround, Abad relayed that his team is more “motivated” now.