CESAFI: Magis Eagles dominate Baby Warriors

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles once again affirmed their supremacy in the junior division of the 15^th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men’s basketball tournament by handing the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors their second loss in a row, 73-48, Monday, August 31 at the New Cebu Coliseum.

In the other junior matches, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers staved off what would have been another upset against Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, 61-42, while the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Greywolves bowed out of the tournament without winning any of their elimination games after succumbing to a 42-61 demolition against the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U).

Though the Dragons have followed the Greywolves out the exit door, they still have one more game to play in the elimination.

The Magis Eagles, who tote an immaculate 7-0 win-loss record, are once again poised to sweep their elimination games as they face their final opponent, the CEC Dragons this Saturday, September 5. And, even if they drop their last game, they will still remain as the league leader and will earn an automatic entry into the semifinals.

Jed Cedrick Colonia, who is getting the attention of collegiate coaches, got the best player tag after he finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists.

There was a bit of a concern in the first quarter when Colonia was fouled by Baby Warriors’ Neon Aleikhem Chavez while going for a layup and he fell hard hitting the back of his head on the floor. However, after a few minutes of rest, Colonia went right back into the game to help the Magis Eagles end the first quarter with a 7-point lead, 14-7, capped by Andrew Vincent Velasco’s haul of 7 points.

When the Baby Warriors come close, the Magis Eagles would respond with a string of points which allows them to pull away. The nearest that the Baby Warriors could manage was cutting down the Magis Eagles lead to 4 points, 10-14, courtesy of Alje Mendez, who split his charities, and a basket from Ken Gato in the second quarter.

After that, Colonia and Patrick Wilson Yu took turns in sinking treys, while Eroll Pastor split his charities twice to bring their advantage up to 16 points, 29-13.

In the second half, Gato, Jholo Pakanna, Mendez, Briedyn Aleyth Smith and Jomari Ranuco all exerted effort to contain the Magis Eagles but the latter was still able to take a 12-point lead, 49-37, going into the final quarter.

In the final canto, the Magis Eagles became unstoppable with Colonia accounting for 11 points and Velasco sinking 6 straight points for an unsurmountable 27-point lead, 71-44, at the last two-minute mark.

The loss hands the USC Baby Warriors with a 4-2 record with two more games to play in the elimination round. They still have a chance to finish second and also earn a bye into the semifinals should they win their last two games.

In the first game, the UV Baby Lancers also improved their record to 4-3 anchored on the record-setting performance of Jancork Cabahug who finished with a massive 41 points while pulling down 22 boards. He also had two assists and three steals.

The Dragons had the chance to clinch their second win as they stayed with the Baby Lancers by just 5 points behind in all quarters except in the third canto when the Baby Lancers was able to take a 13-point advantage, 61-48.

With a minute and 31 seconds remaining, the Dragons came as close as four points, 75-71, behind the rainbow shot of Vince Ryan Tecson. However, Cabahug answered with two baskets to seal the win for the Baby Lancers who also have one more tough game to play against USC this Saturday, September 5.

In the other junior contest, the Wildkittens added another win to their record for a total of three wins in seven games and with one more game to play against the University of Southern Philippine Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers this Tuesday, September 1.

Marion Abinuman was named the best player of the ballgame with his double-double performance of 19 points and 12 rebounds. He also dished three assists.

Abinuman waxed hot in the first half scoring 10 of his 19 points in the first half alongside Khyle Marwin Villarico who also contributed eight of his nine points.

Games Schedule 

September 1, Tuesday at New Cebu Coliseum

5:15 PM – CITU vs USPF (Juniors)

6:45 PM – USPF vs UC (Seniors)

 

Scores:

Juniors

First game:

UV (79) – Cabahug 41, Laurente 13, Ra. Alforque 7, Yerro 5, Ro. Alforque 4, Amistoso 3, Oche 2, Membrano 2, Paraldo 2, Padilla 0, Evardo 0

CEC (75) – Tempra 25, A. Roa 17, Orillaneda 14, Canoy 8, Tecson 8, Astillero 2, Leopoldo 0, Galarse 0, M. Casio 0, Tiu 0, Guillemer 0

Quarter Scores: 17-13; 39-34; 61-48; 79-74

Second game:

CIT-U (61) – Abinuman 19, Suson 14, Ares 10, Villarico 9, Colonia 5, Patrimonio 2, Hapin 2, Tarriman 0, Aparri, Cabarrubias 0, Nisnisan 0, Vallena 0

DBTC (43) – De La Torre 9, Sta. Cruz 8, Jumao-as 7, Gabisay 6, Saludes 4, Duque 3, Lim 3, Adlawan 2, Macam 1, Ciabo 0, Larumbe 0, Cañoneo 0, Quieta 0

Quarter Scores: 19-8; 33-21; 49-28; 61-42

Third Game:

SHS-AdC (73) – Colonia 21, Velasco 16, Pastor 12, P. Yu 11, Calumpang 6, Mantua 2, Bersaluna 2, Chua 2, Manaytay 1, Javelosa 0, J. Yu 0, Visser 0, Chen 0

USC (48) – Mendez 12, Gato 8, Pakanna 8, Chavez 4, Smith 4, Mangaron 4, Canieso 2, Ranuco 2, Octaviano 2, Damolo 1, Mendoza 0, Laurente 0, Bande 0, Macandog 0

Quarter Scores: 17-7; 31-16; 49-37; 78-43 – Rappler.com