Jaybie Mantilla (18) of Mighty Sports-University of San Jose-Recoletos soars for a lay-up against Sheldon Gahi of Worthy-University of the Visayas in the 8th Cesafi Partner’s Cup at the Cebu Coliseum last night. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
The Mighty Sports-University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars forged a championship duel that was somewhat unexpected as they downed the defending champions Worthy-University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 79-72, at the close of the semifinal round of the 8th Cesafi Partner’s Cup last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
USJ-R’s win forged a triple tie after the Phinma-Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras pulled off an 86-79 overtime win over the Highlands Corned Beef-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters early in the day.
UV, USJ-R and SWU both came up with 2-1 (win-loss) records after the single round semis.
USJ-R and UV earned the two final seats owing to their superior points differential.
The Jaguars emerged as the number one seed with their +5 points differential, while UV was +1.
SWU, a title favorite along with UV, was knocked off with -1 points differential.
In their semis duels, UV nipped SWU, 70-62, while the Cobras barely escaped the Jaguars, 81-78.
The best-of-three title showdown will begin tomorrow still at the Cebu Coliseum.
Following their eight-point win over SWU and the Cobras’ close win over the Jaguars, the Green Lancers came into the match all but assured of a finals berth and all they had to do was avoid a blowout loss.
USJ-R gave UV a huge scare when it led by as many as 18 points, 58-40, late in the third.
UV rallied in the fourth and did just enough to seal a championship ticket.
Miguel Gastador and Ricky Peromingan led the Jun Noel-coached Jaguars with 17 points apiece, while Jaybie Mantilla chipped in 14 markers.
Shooter Tristan Albina led the Green Lancers of coach Gary Cortes with a game-high 21 points.
Shaquille Imperial, on the other hand, paced the Cobras with 23 points on a four-for-12 shooting from the three-points land.
Going down the drain was the solid outing of SWU big man Bernie Bregondo, who collected 13 points and 15 rebounds.