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NUSTAR Resort Cebu Observes Earth Hour 2025 with Sustainability Initiatives
On March 22, 2025, NUSTAR Resort Cebu participated in Earth Hour, a global movement promoting environmental sustainability. From 8:30 to 9:30 PM, the resort turned off its facade lights and dimmed... read more
The rest however, have been left to battle it out in the quarterfinals, which starts tomorrow at the University of San Jose-Recoletos gym at their campus in Basak.
#1 Southwestern University Cobras (6-0)
The Cobras earned some much-needed rest and preparation time for the real skirmishes that line the road to the championship this season. They capped their campaign in the elimination round with an 88-63 win over the hapless University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers. As much attention as this team’s flashy and high-profile guards, namely Mark Jayven Tallo and Monbert Arong, get, it has been African import Landry Sanjo who has been playing as steadily as a rock, averaging a double-double in points and rebounds.
Ever wonder how the Cobras get so many transition points? It’s because of this guy:
#2 University of the Visayas Green Lancers (5-1)
The Lancers literally limped to the finish line of this round and crossed it no worse for wear. Though they came away victorious with an 82-68 win over the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats, it came at a steep price as star guard, John Abad, the team’s most consistent backcourt presence, suffered an ankle injury that kept him from finishing this particular game. Fortunately for UV, Abad had plenty of time to heal up but time will definitely tell if he’s playing at full capabilities when the stakes are higher at this time of the season.
UV will be playing the USPF Panthers, armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, in the quarterfinals on Friday, 5 p.m.
#3 University of San Carlos Warriors (3-2)*
I liken this year’s Warriors squad to a bag of potato chips. Yes, it’s all tasty but at the bottom of the bag, there’s still that lingering feeling of emptiness inside your belly that leaves you wondering, there has got to be something more. Sorry for getting too pensive but the point is this: this USC squad is underwhelming, underachieving and capable of so much more, given a head coach with sound principles on both ends of the floor. Yes, they beat the University of Cebu Webmasters – but barely – 67-64.
With two African imports, solid veterans and talented neophytes, surely there’s more to this squad than this? If not, let me go back to my bag of Mr. Chips (‘cause I’m cheap like that!).
#4 University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars (3-2)*
It wasn’t a pretty sight but the Jaguars managed to outlast the USPF Panthers, 68-58. Therein lies the credo by which the Jaguars operate on: it may not look nice but we’ll get the job done. Even with their two best perimeter players – James Regalado and Rendell Senining – struggling in their last two games, the Jaguars still found ways to upend USPF and claim a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.
*USC and USJ-R was playing as of press time with the winner claiming the third seed in the quarterfinal round.
#5 Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats (2-4)
As the season progresses, these Wildcats are steadily making the most of what they have. But just because I said that they are making lemonade out of lemons doesn’t mean that they don’t need another kind of fruit. But the fact remains that they have two studs in rookie sensation Joshua dela Cerna and veteran off-guard Floyd Taboada and very little of a supporting cast to speak of. On some nights, it’s enough like when they routed the UC Webmasters, 88-61, last Sunday. However, the truth is these Wildcats just do not have enough bite in them to put a dent in the league’s powerhouse teams.
#6 University of Cebu Webmasters (1-5)
It has been a season-long quandary for these Webmasters and the question remains to this very day: just who are these present-day Webmasters. Pre-Junemar Fajardo, UC was an athletic bunch that flew high on the shoulders of Jonathan Canceran and Allain Abellanosa. Then came the era of Fajardo, a time that saw the Webmasters play inside and out en route to two consecutive titles.
Now what?
#7 University of Southern Philippines Foundation (0-7)
Just what can be said of a team that lost all of their games in the elimination round? What can I say of a team bereft of actual talent, potential and viable coaching? But as my mother taught me as I was growing up, if you don’t have anything good to say, then shut your mouth. Maybe I’ll just leave it at that.
Jonas Rey N. Panerio
Editor- Sports & Lifestyle
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