CESAFI: Don Bosco continues unlikely first place run

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Greywolves further solidified its hold of the top spot after extending their winning streak to 4-0 with an 83-74 outsmarting of the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Baby Cobras in the lone junior game of the 16th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc (CESAFI) Tuesday, August 23 at the New Cebu Coliseum, downtown this city.

The Greywolves, who didn’t win a single game for the previous 3 years, are now the to the only high school team so far this year that has yet to drop a game.

The DBTC has clearly benefited from the temporary abolition of the residency rule following the implementation of the K12 program as most of its players come from the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors. 

The change in the rule was confirmed by CESAFI president Rev. Fr. Dionisio Miranda, SVD, during the launching of the 2016 season. He added that with schools offering different Senior High curriculum, a lot of student transfers will be happening from school to school making the residency rule counterproductive for the students.

Interestingly, the DBTC Greywolves bagged their first victory at the expense of the USC Baby Warriors, 81-70, during the opening of the 2016 CESAFI Season last August 6. 

The slimmest margin that the DBTC Greywolves have won was against the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, 76-74, last August 13 while they posted their biggest winning margin against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 89-71, last August 20.

In this afternoon’s game against the Baby Cobras, the highest lead that the Greywolves posted was 21 points, 57-36, with a little more than 6 minutes remaining in the third quarter. The closest that the Baby Cobras could go near them was at 5 points, 65-70, at the 7:01 mark of the fourth canto.

Grenald Malubay led the Greywolves with 17 points while contributing 15 markers each were John Benedick Damolo and Jomari James Ranuco. Ken Gato also chipped in 14 points. All 4 are former Baby Warriors.

In the lone collegiate contest, defending champion USC Warriors improved their win-loss card to 2-1 with a blowout win against the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 71-36.

The Warriors is currently at the third spot behind UV Green Lancers and SWU-Phinma Cobras who share the top spot, and USJR Jaguars and UC Webmasters who share the second spot.

The Wildcats, on the other hand, are dwelling at the cellar as it has yet to win after five games.

Its last game in the first round of elimination will be against USPF Panthers, who also have yet to barge into the winning column with an 0-4 card, on August 28.

Leading the Warriors was its import, Scothy Ntumba, who finished with 14 points. Also contributing to the Warriors win were Conrad Catapusan and Lucky Ecarma with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Scores

HS

DB Greywolves (83) – Malubay 17, Damolo 15, Ranuco 15, Gato 14, Dela Torre 10, Mendez 8, Boyboy 2, Ibero 2

SWU Baby Cobras (74) – Baculio 17, Claracay 16, Quijada 13, Isip 10, Rosano 9, Montano 6, Alit 2, Flores 1

College

USC Warriors (71) – Ntumba 14, Catapusan 12, Ecarma 10, Divinagracia 7, Tagapan 7, Langus 6, Oleodo 6, Adlawan 4, Rabat 3, Munez 2

CIT-U Wildcats (36) – Ariar 8, Pono 7, Munez 5, Rosell 4, Manatad 3, Sanchez 3, Lucena 2, Selma 2, Bucao 1, Maglasang 1

Schedules Thursday, August 25

5:15 pm USJR vs CITU (HS)

6:45 pm USJ-R vs USC (College) 

– Rappler.com