Unbeaten Panthers face toughest test yet

After a rousing 3-0 start, the Organique California-University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers face their toughest challenge yet when they collide with league powerhouse University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers in a showdown of unbeaten teams in the 2018 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Partner’s Cup today at the Cebu Coliseum.

In what is by far their best showing in a top-level competition, the Panthers outlasted the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras and the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats.

The Panthers sustained their momentum with a

63-57 conquest of the Cebu Landmasters-University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors on Tuesday night to join the Lancers at second place on identical 3-0 records.

The Panthers’ stunning run will be put to a major test when they go up against the Lancers in the main match of a triple-header set at 8:15 p.m.

The winner of the UV-USPF duel will earn a share of the collegiate division lead with the 4-0 M. Lhuillier Kwarta PadalaUniversity of Cebu (UC) Webmasters.

In the juniors level, the Baby Panthers will also try to stretch their undefeated streak to four games when they take on the Mandaue Hotel-Baby Warriors in the 5:15 p.m. opener, right before the skidding Casino Active/USJ-R Baby Jaguars and the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons face off each other at 6:45 p.m.

CEC will play without their assistant coach Mark Tallo, who is suspended by the league for the rest of the tournament for threatening referee Herbert Rosal to box him outside the court during the Dragons' victory against the USC Baby Warriors last June 21.

Coach Tallo is also fined P5,000 plus a fourhour community service.