Jaguars, Panthers off to roaring starts in Carcar caging

CEBU, Philippines - The University of San-Jose Recoletos Jaguars and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers rolled past separate foes at the start of the 1st Mayor Nice Apura Cup Inter-Collegiate Basketball Invitational last Friday at the Carcar City Sports Complex.

Juan Miguel Gastador exploded for 24 points as the Jaguars shackled the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) champions University of the Visayas Green Lancers, 100-68, while Lyndon Colina and Clyde Avancena connived for 22 points as the Panthers upended the University of San Carlos  Warriors, 86-77.

Preying on the undermanned Lancers, the Jaguars frolicked all the way since racing to a 31-19 start. They pounded their hapless foes in the remainder of the 40-minute match to come up with a 32-point blowout.

Gastador got huge support from Ricky Peromingan and Jaybie Mantilla with 19 and 14 markers, respectively, for the Jaguars, who shoot for their second straight win against the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats as of this writing last night.

Jan Monic Soliva had 11 points, while Michael Macion and Jayson Balabag each had nine for the Lancers, who were without their awesome foursome in Rey Suerte, Alfred Codilla, Tristan Albina and Jose Sugampan.

In the other game, the Panthers went strong in the windup to turn back the Warriors. USPF trailed by a hairline after three quarters but outpointed USC in the final period, 31-21, to set off its title bid on a bright note.— EBV