USPF Panthers lock No.3 spot in CESAFI Final Four | The Freeman

CEBU, Philippines — The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers whipped the Felipe R. Verallo Foundation College (FRVFC) Blue Dragons, 85-65, to secure a Final Four berth in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 23 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Tuesday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Ian Denzil Pacquibot led a well-balanced attack with 12 points as the Panthers locked the No.3 spot with a 7-2 win-loss record going into the semifinal round where they will figure in an expected grudge rematch with the second ranked University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters.

But unlike last season, the Panthers are the ones who must beat the Webmasters twice this time to advance to the championship.

In the juniors division, JV Oringo unloaded 18 points and King Padoga added 10 markers as the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars annihilated the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) Greywolves, 72-43, to book a top two spot and a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis.

The Baby Jaguars are currently tied with the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) Baby Webmasters on identical 8-1 slates, setting up the stage for a crucial match-up between them at the end of elimination on Sunday, November 26.

The winner will clinch the top seeding and more importantly, avoid a semifinal battle against the defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles.