CEBU CITY — University of San Jose-Recoletos tightened their grip on second place with a 90-75 win over Cebu Institute of Technology-University on Tuesday in the 17th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Wildcats led by 11 early but the Jaguars took control in the fourth with a 9-0 blast and held on to score their sixth win in eight games.
USJ-R is trailing the University of the Visayas, which owns an 8-1 record. The top two at the end of the elimination round will own a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
Julius Pacanuayan led the Jaguars with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds along with two assists and two blocked shots while MVP contender Jaybie Mantilla had another stellar showing with 14 points, seven boards, five assists and a steal.
USJ-R’s bench posted solid numbers as Nichole Ubalde had 11 points, while RJ Dinolan and Braulio Compra scored 10 each.
Mark Kong had 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists for CIT-U, which dropped to 1-9.
The scores:
USJ-R 90 — Pacanuayan 16, Mantilla 14, Ubalde 11, Dinolan 10, Compra 10, Peromingan 9, Nunez 8, Catiloc 6, Navarra 2, Cabrera 2, Morre 2.
CIT-U 75 — Kong 17, Sable 15, Munez 14, Bucao 8, Con-ui 8, Laguna 6, King 2, Mumar 2, Simmons 2, Rosell 1.
Quarterscores: 12-23; 39-38; 67-61; 90-75.