USJ-R guns for 2-0 lead

CEBU, Philippines - The Ave Maria Sanctuary Park-USJR Jaguars shoot for a pivotal 2-0 lead when they take on the San Marino Corned Tuna-USC Warriors anew in Game 2 of the 4th CESAFI Partner’s Cup best-of-five championship series at the Cebu Coliseum.

Counting their 88-78 victory during the series opener last Friday, the Jaguars have already tamed the Warriors twice, including a 77-64 decision in the elimination round.

Experience played a key role in the Jaguars’ Game 1 triumph as they avoided collapse in the face of repeated comeback threats by the Warriors. Too bad for the Warriors, Giovanni Padillo could hardly get scoring support from most of his teammates last Friday because deadly shooters like Michael Cantonao, Sam Hermosa and Jabe Bautista all flagged down.

In stark contrast, USJ-R veterans like Manny Gabas, Armand Ponce and Jabe Delfino augmented the offensive firepower of Jaguars, who also drew sterling performance from Kurt Amores, Edwin Bibera, Marvin Duran and Jun Lapiz.

On the other hand, the Aerosol-USPF Panthers have a great task to fulfill tonight as they try to outlast the PTT Fuels-UV Lancers in their battle for third place in the seniors division. The Panthers stunned the Lancers, 72-67, in Game 1 and they need only one more win to wrap up the best-of-three duel.

            Like USPF, the Bibbo-CIT Wildkittens also needed one more victory over the Ave Maria-USJR Baby Jaguars to lift the third place trophy in the juniors bracket.   (FREEMAN NEWS)