Battle for Supremacy: CBA Jaguars and CE Knights clinch finals berth after semifinal triumphs

The College of Business Administration (CBA) Jaguars and the College of Engineering (CE) Knights are set to clash for the men’s basketball championship after conquering their semifinal rivals in a pair of high-intensity games at the Rajah Sulayman Gymnasium on November 4.

In the fortress of competition, only the fiercest survive—and the Jaguars and Knights proved they were built for glory.

In a nail-biting matchup, the defending champions, the CBA Jaguars, triumphed over the College of Information and Technology Management (CISTM) Pythons, 54–52, in a game that had the crowd on its feet until the final buzzer.

The first half of the game was dominated by Jaguars showing some speed and precision on both ends of the floor, resulting in a commanding double digit lead (29–15).

Entering the third quarter, CISTM Pythons—known for slithering their way back into contention, narrowed the gap into a one point lead through team effort and multiple defensive stops, ending the third frame with a tight 38–37 board.

The final quarter of the match turned into a back and forth battle, with both teams trading buckets and defensive clamps in a display of composure under pressure.

As the clock ticked down to the final seconds with a score tied at 52, El-Jay Mark Pleno of Jaguars delivered a soaring follow-up floater at the buzzer clinching a narrow 54–52 victory and giving the crowd a game to remember.

On the other side of the bracket, CE Knights edged out CED Titans in a high energy matchup, executing key offensive and defensive plays, but the Knights ultimately secured their spot in the Finals.

Entering the floor for the second game of the semifinals, Knights and Titans showcased their relentless talents by trading buckets leading to end the first frame at 15–13 in favor of the Knights.

The anchor of the Knights, Gabriel Novelo, led the team with his decisive layups and immense rebounds to extend the lead in the second quarter to nine points (29–20).

The Titans, trying to stand their ground, relied on their inside presence and outside shooting to close the gap, but the Knights' grit prevailed, ending the third period with a comfortable lead of 40–29.

In the final 10 minutes of the game, Novelo, along with his teammates, seized full control of the quarter to close the match at 56–46, securing their ticket to the championship game.

The CBA Jaguars are set to defend their title against the CE Knights in what promises to be a thrilling championship showdown, as both teams vie for supremacy.