THE University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars copped the first-ever Visayas Amateur Athletic Association (VAAA) men’s basketball title by sweeping its series against the Southwestern University Cobras.
USJ-R, backed by La Fortuna, won 78-73 over SWU in Game 2 of the best-of-three championship held at the University of San Carlos Gym.
The Jaguars needed the heroics of Lyndon Gudez and Bobby Hatague to hold the team together when the Cobras came back blazing in the third quarter.
“Our defense collapsed in the third because my players were out of focus when the game became physical. But luckily we were able to regroup and controlled the game in the fourth quarter,” said USJ-R coach Edito Salacot, who won his first collegiate title after taking over as Jaguars coach last year.
Varied types
Salacot, who won the Cesafi high school title in 2003, used varied types of defenses—the three-quarter court trap, 2-3 zone and man-to-man defense—to break the offense of the Cobras.
Without its starting guard, Jaime Yap, the Cobras succumbed to many turnovers and forced shots that USJ-R turned into easy points at the other court.
“Lupig gyud sa diskarte akong mga players. Probably because of the inexperience of my team,” said SWU coach Dodie Miego.
The game was played closely in the opening 10 minutes, as the score settled at 17-all at the buzzer. However, the complexion of the game changed when the Jaguars pulled away in the second as the first half closed with a mounting 46-33 USJ-R lead.
But the Cobras came up with brilliant plays in the third, with Alfred Belande and Gilbert Gallarde leading the charge to outscore the Jaguars 20-11 to come within 57-53 entering the fourth quarter.
Salacot then sent his shock troopers and Gudez, together with Archie Antigua and Randy Pogoy, dropped a searing 17-6 run to build a 78-63 lead with 2:30 left in the game.
