USJ-R/May Abohan stays alive
The University of San Jose-Recoletos/May Abohan recovered from a blowout loss the previous day to beat University of the Visayas/ SG-ARQ Builders, 91-80, in the Cebu City Sinulog Cup 2018-Basketball Invitational at the Cebu Coliseum last night.
After being trashed by Cebu Landmasters/Bogo, the Jaguars dug deep to come from behind, score the win and keep its chances alive for a spot in the finals.
UV/SG-ARQ, now 0-4, had the upper hand for most of the game installing a 46-41 halftime lead which narrowed down to 62-57 at the end of the third quarter. After an ex-
change of baskets saw UV/SGARQ on top 75-69 at the 5:55 mark of the game, USJ-R/May Abohan unleashed a 15-0 run to take the lead at 84-75, 2:42 left.
A solid unit of Jaguars RJ Dinolan, Joh Ubalde, Kingsley Ewenike and Miguel Gastador took turns in scoring in the rally that left UV scoreless for over three minutes. USJ-R/ May Abohan Coach Edito Salacut credited the win to the defensive adjustment they implemented to silence UV shooters Rey Suerte and Tristan Albina, and praised the core of Jaguars behind the rally.
“We adjusted to a boxand-one defense, and went to an all-Jaguar five when we rested (Bogs) Llanto and (Mark) Abadia,” he said. It was a balanced attack for the Jaguars with five players delivering in double digits. Miguel Gastador led the offense with 19 points and seven rebounds. Import Kingsley Ewenike had a double double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Bogs Llanto had 13 while Jaybie Mantilla recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals. John Ubalde had 10 points. Albina led UV/SGARQ with 18 points, while Suerte added 11 points, five boards and four assists. USJR/May Abohan now holds a 2-1 record behind idle Cebu Landmasters/Bogo (3-0).
In the late game Wednesday night, the University of Cebu/M. Lhuillier (1-1) came from behind and banked on Frederick Elombi’s tournament-high 35 points to overcome University of the Visayas/SG-ARQ Builders, 79-74. Down by ten, 31-41 at halftime, the Webmasters stormed to a 60-53 lead by the end of the third period, stretched the lead to 71-59 before UV staged a rally banking on their three point-shooting as in previous games.
Tristan Albina’s two triples launched an end-game rally that cut the UC lead to only three at 77-74 with 14 seconds left. But Elombi iced the game from the free throw line. He had a monster game of 35 points and 15 rebounds. Justine Dacalos added 21 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Luz was scoreless but tallied eight assists. Albina led UV/SG-ARQ with 23 points including seven triples. Sheldon Gahi backed him up with eleven points.