Cheetahs score triumphant debut in CESAFI basketball | The Freeman

CEBU, Philippines — The Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs pulled off a triumphant debut in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. after they vanquished the University of the Philippines (UP)-Cebu Fighting Maroons, 65-60, in another match-up of newcomers in the 23rd CESAFI men’s basketball tournament last Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Cheetahs of coach BJ Murillo, a two-time All-Star during his prime with the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, dictated the pace of the match since getting off to a flying 19-11 start.

They then repulsed a repeated comeback attempts by the Rommel Rasmo-mentored Fighting Maroons in the windup to breeze through a historic five-point victory.

Den Rick Orgong showed the way for the Cheetahs with 16 points on top of seven rebounds, and one assist while Serge Gabines added 13 points.

On the other hand, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) cagers opened their campaign with a resounding twinkill.

Kendrick Abarquez was the hero as the Jaguars edged the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 60-58. With the score tied at 58-all in the dying seconds, Abarquez banked the game-winner, causing the entire USJ-R bench and their small throng of supporters to leap for joy.

Jules Langres topped the Jaguars with 17 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

It was a double celebration for the Jaguars as their younger comrades slammed last year’s juniors division runner-up City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy (CBSAA) Trailblazers, 68-52.

Judd Kyle Rueda led the Baby Jaguars’ assault with 17 points, six rebounds, and one assist.

In the other result, Calib Gawangon savored a victorious debut as head coach after guiding the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) to an 82-58 obliteration of the hapless USC Baby Warriors.

Kian Luchavez showed the way for UCLM with 19 points, three rebounds, and four assists. — (FREEMAN)