In a game that will be remembered for decades, the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors etched their names into Cebu sports lore with a heart-stopping victory over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars. The final score was 95-93, but the real story was the marathon battle that required three overtime periods to decide a winner at the Cebu Coliseum on Sunday, December 30, 2025.
A Marathon Battle for the Ages
This wasn't just another win in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men's basketball elimination round. The contest between the Warriors and the Jaguars stretched into uncharted territory, becoming the first game in Cesafi's 25-year history to reach three overtimes. The epic duel even stumped veteran sports officials. Deputy commissioner Danny Duran noted he could not recall a triple-overtime game happening even during the era of the defunct Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA).
The victory marked the second time this season that USC has gotten the better of USJ-R in extra time. In their first meeting, the Warriors also emerged victorious in a single-overtime cliffhanger, 74-73. However, Sunday's game far surpassed that in drama and endurance, pushing both teams to their absolute limits.
Semifinal Implications and the Road Ahead
Beyond the historic nature of the win, the result has massive implications for the Cesafi playoff picture. With this crucial victory, the USC Warriors are now just one win away from securing the fourth and final slot in the Top Four semifinals as the elimination round nears its conclusion.
The path forward for the USJ-R Jaguars is now steep. To keep their semifinal hopes alive, they must win both of their remaining games. Their schedule includes a match against the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters on Tuesday, December 2, followed by a game versus the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs on Friday, December 5. Furthermore, they must hope for a USC loss when the Warriors face the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers on Thursday.
The Tiebreaker Scenario
Should both the Warriors and the Jaguars triumph in their respective final assignments, the teams would end up tied in the standings. In that event, USC holds the decisive advantage. By virtue of the league's "team that beat the other" rule, the Warriors would advance to the next round, having won both head-to-head matchups against USJ-R this season.
The historic triple-overtime game has set a new benchmark for excitement in Cesafi basketball. As the Warriors celebrate their hard-fought win and the Jaguars regroup for a must-win final stretch, fans are left with an unforgettable chapter in Cebu collegiate sports history.
