Cheetahs get even with Jaguars

CEBU, Philippines — The Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs scored a vengeful 76-64 victory over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars to stay atop of the college division standings in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Jhon Loufred Diamante bagged 16 points, while Kenneth Babalcon stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, four rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and a steal as the Cheetahs stretched their league-best record to 9-1.

Junil Bulan added 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block for the Cheetahs, who avenged their 60-62 overtime loss to the Jaguars in their first-round meeting last September 24.

Alcher Obra produced a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, along with two steals, while El John Lacaya chipped in 12 points, two rebounds, five assists and three steals but their efforts proved futile as the Jaguars dropped to 5-4.

In the other collegiate matchup, Ray James Enriquez stole the show with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals as the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors got even with the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters by the slimmest of margins, 59-58.

Real Einer Aureo tallied 13 points with seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while James Tawacal contributed 10 points, six rebounds and three assists as the Warriors improved to 6-4.

Ricofer Sordilla fired 18 points, four rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Maverick Eligoyo posted 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal for their efforts went for naught as the Webmasters fell to 5-5.

In the juniors division, reigning five-peat champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles and the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) kept their undefeated records intact.

Lian Kent Basa delivered an all-around performance with 13 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals, while Jacob Javelosa and Gabriel Gonzales nailed 13 points apiece as the Magis Eagles soared to their sixth straight win with a 67-56 defeat of the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons.

Carl Torreon sizzled with 18 points, while Kyle Francis Bayog churned out 11 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals as UCLM prevailed over the UC Junior Webmasters, 79-61, in a battle of sister teams to remain unbeaten at 7-0.

In another game, Skeril Miez Basilisco chalked up 14 points and eight rebounds, while Mark Ivan Geraldez had 12 points, four rebounds and five assists as the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Junior Wildcats edged the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 61-59, to claim sole possession of second place with a 7-2 slate.

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