CEBU CITY – The University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars started their campaign on a high note, routing the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats, 97-60, in the 17th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday night at the New Cebu Coliseum.
The Jaguars’ dynamic duo of RJ Dinolan and Jaybie Mantilla put up impressive numbers in limited minutes as the former had 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals while the latter finished with 15 markers, five boards and four assists.
Rookie Julius Pacanuayan had an impressive debut with a near double-double of 14 points and nine rebounds while Tricky Peromingan added 10 markers and two steals.
USJ-R separated themselves from CIT-U in the second quarter with a 10-2 run sparked by buckets from Mantilla and Pacunuayan that turned a slim 25-20 advantage into a formidable 37-24 bulge.
The Jaguars kept the pressure on and blitzed the Wildcats with one transition lay-up after another with Mantilla’s buzzer-beating basket capping off a 13-1 blast to put USJ-R up by 27, 63-36, heading to the game’s final chapter.
Steve Bucao scored 18 for CIT-U, which suffered their second straight loss. Mark Kong added 17 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
The scores:
USJ-R (97) Dinolan 15, Mantilla 15, Pacunuayan 14, Peromingan 10, Gastador 8, Ubalde 8, Navarra 7, Cabrera 6, Calang 6, Catiloc 4, Compra 3, Mangaron 1
CIT-U (60) Bucao 18, Kong 17, Sable 6, Mumar 3, Munez 3, Rosell 3, Con-ui 2, Igloria 2, Jabines 2, Laguna 2, Nemil 2
Quarterscores: 17-10, 41-26, 63-36, 97-60