Springdale Titans stun Jaguar Cubs for breakthrough CESAFI win

CEBU, Philippines — The PAREF Springdale Titans nailed their first-ever win in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball tournament in style, stunning the previously undefeated University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguar Cubs, 77-74, Saturday, October 3, at the Cebu Coliseum.

It was a victory that felt like winning a championship for the league newcomers.

Anton Lorenzo Gratones and Riche Sarmiento both scored 22 points as the Titans snapped a five-game losing skid. Gratones added three assists, three steals and two blocks, while Sarmiento grabbed three rebounds and three steals.

Jansseen Barquilla also made his presence felt for the Titans with 11 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

John Gregory Carecosa was the only double-digit scorer for USJ-R with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, but his efforts proved futile as the Jaguar Cubs saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.

In the other high school game, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers evened their record at 2-2 with a 67-53 whacking of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers.

Joseph Cupat paced UV with 13 points, four rebounds, one assist and three steals.

Kirbey Borbon tallied 12 points and four rebounds, while Pertitude Nazio Binagatan posted a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double for the Baby Lancers.

In the college division, the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs thrashed the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM), 77-52, to join the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers at the top of the standings with identical 5-1 slates, while the USJ-R Jaguars improved to 4-3 after fending off the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 58-56.

Kennneth Babalcon led Benedicto’s balanced offensive performance with 15 points, four rebounds, five assists and a steal.

Jhunrel Daghatan bagged 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Serge Gabines recorded a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds with four steals for the Cheetahs.

Christian Carl Sollano top-scored for the Jaguars with 13 points, six rebounds and three steals.