Kevin Rey Villafranca of USJ-R splits the CIT-U defense in yesterday’s Cesafi seniors game at the Cebu Coliseum. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)
After seeing their lone, hard-earned victory get forfeited, a visibly-determined University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars vented their ire on the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) and blew out the Wildcats, 102-71, in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Jaguars had their 85-68 win over the University of Cebu on opening day forfeited after it was found out that they had not submitted their electrocardiogram results—a requirement this season—on time. As a result, they dipped to the bottom of the standings with a 0-2 win-loss record.
They ventured to change that last night as they took control of what was a competitive game in the third period, where they unleashed a blistering 20-3 run that decisively turned the tide in their favor and get them their first win of the season.
The Jaguars were only up by 10, 55-45, at the halfway point of the third when they suddenly raised their game up a notch behind the relentless play of Ralph Dinolan, who crashed the board for several putbacks.
Also contributing for USJ-R were last year’s Mythical Five member Kevin Villafranca and rookie guard Ricky Peromingan, who dropped in a rare four-point play that helped the Jaguars erect a 75-51 lead heading to the final frame.
Villafranca finished the game with a huge double-double of 23 points and 16 rebounds laced with four steals while the much-improved Dinolan chipped in 19 points and seven rebounds.
Macmac Labares also flaunted his all-around game with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
CIT-U fell to its third straight defeat in spite of the 25 points of Joshua dela Cerna.
Allan Dimco, a key cog in the Wildcats’ attack, was a bust for the second game in a row as he made just 11 markers.
JUNIORS DIVISION
CIT-U, though, made up for its elders’ setback by winning over the beleaguered Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, 67-62 in the juniors division.
Jasper Berezo led the way for the Wildkittens with 27 points. Both CIT-U and CEC now hold similar records of 1-2.