USJ-R hands UV first playoffs loss in 6 years

By Marian C. Baring
SunStar
October 2, 2007

THE University of San Jose Recoletos Jaguars accomplished two things no team in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. has ever done before—beat the University of the Visayas Green Lancers twice in one season.

On the other hand, the University of San Carlos Warriors earned an early entry to the championship round after defeating a hapless Southwestern University Cobras, 72-49. USC would have to wait though after USJ-R extended their series with a 77-75 win in Game 2.

The Jaguars lost an 18-point advantage in Game 1 and did not want the same scenario in Game 2. Last Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum, the Jaguars still managed to build up a lead, but this time, they maintained it.

“We were just very lucky,” said USJ-R head coach Edito Salacot.

The Jaguars indeed were overflowing with luck as they were almost perfect from the arc. Behind outside shooters Jabe Delfino Jan Malinao and Lyndon Gudez, the Jaguars struggled past the UV giants in the second period to wrest the lead, 38-36, at the turn.

The Jaguars’ sticky defense held off the Lancers’ scoring in the third period, limiting them to fish points from free throws to build a comfortable lead, 61-54.

USJ-R opened the closing frame with back-to-back triples from Malinao and Edwin Bibera to further pad their lead.

With the comfort of a 73-60 lead, the Jaguars’ defense started to slacken, which was an opportunity for the Lancers to pull
their acts together.

Five minutes into the fourth, UV head coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug sent his towers Rino Berami, Ariel Mepaña, Ritchum Dennison, who jumpstarted a fiery 12-2 run—spiked by a triple from Dennison in the last 53 seconds—to slice the lead to just three, 75-72.

Triple

Malinao then put life back into the lifeless Jaguars, with an assurance basket in the final 27 seconds, to lead, 77-72.

With 13 seconds left, 3-point specialist Dennison attempted a triple that could have sliced the lead but was blocked by Bobby Hatague.

Mepaña then accomplished Dennison’s foiled attempt as he sank in a triple in the final three seconds, to edge closer, 75-77. However, time ran out and UV had to accept the fact that they were duped and will just have to make it up in game three.

“This is now anybody’s ballgame. We were lucky in Game 1 because we overturned an 18-point deficit. We are not so lucky this time,” said Cabahug. “We can’t be complacent with USJ-R. This is a very intact team and we need to prepare for Game 3.”

In the other game, the SWU Cobras’ long and winding trip to this point in the competition came to a screeching halt when they fell not just to the superiority of the Warriors but to their shaky feet.

“We caved in to pressure,” said SWU athletics head Ryan Aznar.

It was the worst game of the Cobras to date. They only gave a fight in first period when they dictated the game’s tempo, 22-14. What caused their demise was scoring just four points in the second and third periods.

The USC squad, which knows how to work out a crowd, was well-covered from all angles with reigning MVP Enrico Llanto at the post and Niño Ramirez and Carlo Padayao in the perimeter and a bevy of camera-wielding fans all around them.

“The team was gelling well and I am happy that we get another shot at getting the crown,” said USC head coach Jay Ramirez.

This will be USC’s second straight appearance in the Cesafi finals. It lost to perennial winner UV last year.