The JT Jaguars secured their fourth win of Round One with a solid 74–64 victory over the UMU flames last night at the Jaguars den.
The contest began evenly, with both sides locked at 13–13 at the end of the first quarter. However, JT found their rhythm in the second, putting together a strong 27–18 run to take a 40–31 lead into halftime. That momentum carried into the third quarter, where disciplined defense and effective transition play allowed the Jaguars to maintain control and extend their advantage. Although the Flames showed resilience with a late push in the fourth, JT remained composed down the stretch to close out a deserved 10-point win.
William A. George led the scoring effort with an impressive 22 points, stepping up in key moments, including a crucial tip-in layup in the final minute that stretched the lead and sealed the result. His performance provided the offensive spark the team needed.
In the paint, Peter Sifuma was outstanding, recording a double-double with 16 rebounds, 10 points, and 3 assists. He was well supported by Chuol Dut Abraham Akuei and Chuma Fadhili both of whom contributed significantly on the boards. JT’s dominance in rebounding, finishing with a commanding 71–46 advantage, played a decisive role in controlling the tempo and limiting second-chance opportunities for the Flames.
Despite the win, there are areas that require attention ahead of the upcoming clash with the Oilers. Ball security remains a concern, with the team committing 26 turnovers—many of which led to easy transition opportunities for UMU. Perimeter shooting was also below par, as JT converted just 5 of their 29 three-point attempts. Additionally, defensive lapses on the perimeter allowed the Flames to record 16 steals, disrupting offensive flow and creating unnecessary pressure.
The Jaguars play the city Oilers next on Friday at the arena.