The USJ-R Jaguars celebrate their title win over UV in the 1st Raul Cabanero Inter-Collegiate Basketball League at the Bulacao Sports Complex in Talisay City. contributed photo
The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars drew inspired performances from Kevin Villafranca and Miguel Gastador in crunch time to stun the mighty University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 90-88, and win the championship in the 1st Raul Cabanero Inter-Collegiate Basketball League on Wednesday night at the Bulacao Sports Complex in Talisay City.
It was quite an impressive feat for the upstart Jaguars, who trailed by as much as 15 in the first half but came roaring back in the final 20 minutes of action behind a relentless effort on the offensive boards and the shot-making abilities of Villafranca and Gastador, who combined to score 18 of the team’s 23 point output in the final frame.
Villafranca, playing in his final game for USJ-R before leaving for Manila to join commercial basketball squad Mighty Sports, left a fitting parting gift to his team as he tallied 28 points en route to getting named as the tournament’s MVP.
Gastador added 14, 10 of which came in the fourth highlighted by two booming three-pointers. Cesafi Mythical Five forward RJ Dinolan also made his mark with 11 markers.
The Lancers were led by the 21 points of the vastly improved big man Mike Macion.