THE University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) booked a slot to the Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League following a masterful 95-87 win over compatriot University of Cebu Webmasters Tuesday night at the Ormoc Dome in Ormoc City.

The Jaguars struggled at the start but their championship experience allowed them to keep their cool that despite losing two players to injuries, they still prevailed over UC, which squandered a good lead when it crumbled at endgame.

With the most-coveted slot to the main roster of the PCCL up for grabs, UC, which finished at fourth place in the recent Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi), showed its prowess early in the game and built a 10-point advantage, 25-15, in the first period.

Upset

The Jaguars, the runnerup in the Cesafi, could not seem to contain the rampaging Webmasters who managed to keep them at bay and still owned the period enjoying a seven-point lead going into the final half, 45-52.

The game would have headed for an upset had USJ-R not recovered in time.

The Jaguars finally showed their championship experience to finally wrest the lead from the Webmasters, 67-66 for the first time in the game.

However, it came at a cost.

USJ-R lost Jan Malinao after he was rushed to the hospital for stitches for figuring in a clash with a fellow Jaguar, while Kurt Amores badly sprained his ankle

Still, the Webmasters displayed a never-say-die attitude and challenged USJ-R until the 6:30 mark, when they last held USJ-R to a deadlock at 71.

When its pivot man Junemar Fajardo had to be benched for fouling out, UC found itself without a go-to-guy and its perfectly sturdy offenses completely fell apart.

Luther Justiniani led USJ-R’s cause with 26 points, while Jabe Delfino added 15.

USJ-R was to face the National Collegiate Athletic Association powerhouse Letran Knights in the zonal finals at press time last night.

Letran easily trounced West Negros College, 70-85. (MCB)

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