USJ-R Baby Jaguars players and coaching staff pose for a photo after beating USP-F. | Glendale Rosal
CEBU CITY, Philippines— The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars grabbed win No. 3 in the Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) high school basketball tournament by demolishing the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Baby Panthers, 79-60, on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Baby Jaguars maintained their unbeaten 3-0 (win-loss) record to remain at the second place in the high school team standings, while inflicting USP-F’s third loss in four games.
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USJ-R scoring tandem
The tandem of Ryan Justin Artis and JLord Pepito led the Baby Jaguars by scoring 13 points apiece. JV Oringo and Chan Benedict Brigoli also had a field game for the Baby Jaguars as they each scored 12 markers.
Fritz Gonzales spoiled his 21-point outing, while Mark Lozano added eight points as the Baby Panthers were still reeling from their stunning defeat in the hands of the defending champions, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles, 58-59, last October 14, 2023.
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Back-and-forth battle in first half
Both teams had a back-and-forth battle in the first half, resulting to five lead changes and four deadlocks, but USJ-R made sure to head into the dugout with a five-point cushion, 38-33.
USJ-R kicked off the second half with a blistering 18-2 run to grab an 18-point cushion, 55-37, by banking on their tough defense and transition offense.
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21-point lead in final canto
The Baby Jaguars continued pounding the Baby Panthers with their relentless offense, stretching their lead to 21 points, 64-43, heading into the final canto.
USJ-R maintained their huge lead and even stretched it to 29 points, 79-50, their biggest in the end game. The Baby Panthers made last efforts yielding them 10 points, but it was too late for a comeback.