Jaguars hand Cheetahs first loss

CEBU, Philippines — The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars stunned the previously unbeaten Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs, 62-60, in the first overtime game of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament Thursday night, September 24, at the

Cebu Coliseum.

The Jaguars blitzed to an 11-point lead, 22-11, after the opening period and dictated the pace for most of the way, but the Cheetahs slowly chiseled away the deficit until they forged a 52-all deadlock at the end of the regulation, sending the game into overtime.

In the five-minute extension, the two protagonists again figured in a nip-and-tuck battle, but the Jaguars held their ground to deliver the upset victory over the Cheetahs.

Kenneth Calvin Cole bagged 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Christian Carl Sollano produced a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, with two assists and a block, as the Jaguars improved to 2-3.

Den Rick Orgong finished with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Serge Gabines and Carlo Sabroso combined for 23 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks, but their efforts went down the drain as the Cheetahs saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.

In the juniors division, the reigning five-peat champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles whipped up a furious offensive storm in the second half to trounce the BC Cheetahs, 70-56.

After a 32-all standoff at halftime, the Magis Eagles suddenly caught fire, rolling to a 61-40 advantage at the end of the third quarter before stretching the leadto 28 points, 70-42, in the final five minutes.

Gabriel Gonzales caught the eye with a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double for the Magis Eagles, who locked themselves in a three-way tie at the top of the juniors division standings with the USJ-R Baby Jaguars and the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) Junior Webmasters, all sporting identical 3-0 records.

Andre Patiño chalked up 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and five steals, while Axel Joseph Oropisa chipped in 16 points, two rebounds and two assists but to no avail as the Baby Cheetahs fell to 1-3.