Jaguars on a mission vs Cobras

CEBU, Philippines — The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars will try to keep their forward march towards the No.2 spot when they battle the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras in the 17th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum today.

The Jaguars firmed up their grip of the solo second spot with a 6-2 win-loss record after crushing the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 90-75, last Tuesday night. They now only need to win at least two of their last four games in the double round robin elimination to secure twice-to-beat advantage in the crossover semis.

Against the struggling Southwestern U which is already out of the semis race with a 3-5 card, the Jaguars are expected to have an easy time especially that they handily beat the Cobras, 103-88, during their August 12 match.

Before USJ-R takes on SWU at 6:45 p.m., the Baby Cobras will go up against the Don Bosco Greywolves in a non-bearing match at 5:15 pm. Both the 3-5 Baby Cobras and the  2-6 Greywolves are already eliminated and could only hope for a graceful exit.

The Final 4 cast in the juniors division is already filled up, with the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers earning an outright finals berth for emerging as elimination round topnotcher with a clean 9-0 slate.

Four-time defending champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-ADC) Magis Eagles finished as No.2 with an 8-1 mark and will enjoy twice-to-beat edge against the winner of the knockout match between the USJ-R Baby Jaguars and the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters. (FREEMAN)