THE University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars roared to their third-straight win by nipping the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons, 66-60, in the college division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Basketball Tournament on Tuesday night, Oct. 14, at the Cebu Coliseum.

USJ-R has been on a tear, never losing again after suffering back-to-back losses to start the tournament for a decent 3-2 (win-loss) card.

UP continued to spiral, tasting a fourth defeat against a single win.

Forward Sam Melicor showed the way for the Jaguars with 12 points, six rebounds, three steals, and three assists. Sophomore guard Rodge Balbao added 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block.

Also playing big for the Webmasters was Lorenzo Gabriel Saraum, who won the Player of the Game honors with 11 points, eight rebounds, six steals, and three assists.

UP was led by Marco Manaloto, who shot 7-of-14 from the field to end up with a game-high 19 points. He also had four steals and four rebounds.

AJ Delos Reyes added 10 points for UP, which actually put up a tough fight that saw them battle back from a 26-41 deficit to forge a 51-all standoff with only quarter to play.

The Jaguars, however, staged a 15-9 run in the final period to ice the win.(CCM)

• Tags
• #USJ-R Jaguars
• #UP Cebu Fighting Maroons
• #Cesafi 2025
• #Cebu Coliseum
• #college basketball
• #University of San Jose-Recoletos
• #University of the Philippines Cebu
• #Sam Melicor
• #Rodge Balbao
• #Lorenzo Gabriel Saraum
• #Cesafi Basketball Tournament
• #Player of the G