CESAFI: Magis Eagles dominate UV to open juniors semis

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Defending champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles remained on track for their third title with a 69-45 demolition of the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, their first assignment as the semifinal round of the CESAFI juniors division begins at the New Cebu Coliseum.

Andrew Vincent Velasco topscored for the Magis Eagles with 13 points but the best player honors were accorded to teammate Jed Cedrick Colonia.

Colonia added only 11 points to the Magis Eagles’s campaign but he also pulled 4 rebounds, grabbed 6 steals and made one assist. Velasco, for his part, had one rebound, one steal and one assist.

From a 3 point advantage at the end of the first quarter, the Magis Eagles were able to build their lead to as much as 17 points after successfully containing Baby Lancers star playmaker Raul Jancork Cabahug to just a point in the first half.

Despite the tight defense that was employed against him, Cabahug still managed to lead the Baby Lancers with 15 points and 6 rebounds. No other Baby Lancer was able to score in double figures.

Cabahug compensated in the second half by scoring 7 points in the third quarter, which he opened with a 3-point play.

The Baby Lancers managed to cut the Magis Eagles lead to 10 points twice but 3 straight baskets, one each from Velasco, Colonia and Phil Renzo Calumpang once again gave the Magis Eagles a 16-point advantage, 46-30.

A rainbow shot from Patrick Wilson Yu further pulled the Magis Eagles up by 18 points, 53-36, with less than two minutes going into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Baby Lancers saw a 16-point deficit surge to 20 points at the 7:24 mark.

Cabahug then went on a 7 point rampage to bring down the Magis Eagles lead to 15 points, 44-59, but things became more complicated for the Baby Lancers when he was called for an unsportsmanlike foul.

From Cabahug’s last basket, the Magis Eagles worked to erect a 24-point upper hand and the Baby Lancers’ only response was the split charities of Jim Paul Amistoso.

The Magis Eagles will wait for the winner between second-ranked University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors and third-ranked University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters for their next assignment.

Game Schedule – Thursday, September 17 at New Cebu Coliseum

5:15 USC vs UC (Juniors, Semifinals)
6:45 USJR vs USC (Seniors, 2nd round eliminations)

Scores:

SHS-AdC (69) – Velasco 13, Colonia 11, Pastor 9, Calumpang 8, P. Yu 7, Mantua 4, Visser 4, Bersaluna 3, Chua 3, Javelosa 3, Manaytay 2, J. Yu 2, Chen 0.

UV (45) – Cabahug 15, Oche 8, Paraldo 8, Ram. Alforque 7, Roy. Alforque, Amistoso 3, Balazuela 0, Laurente 0, Membrano 0, Padilla 0, Yerro 0.

Quarter Scores: 17-14; 38-21; 53-37; 69-45. – Rappler.com