CESAFI: Magis Eagles make juniors finals; USC eliminated

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles barged into the final round in the juniors division of the 15th CESAFI men’s basketball tournament with a 79-47 demolition of the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters Saturday, September 19 at the New Cebu Coliseum.

The University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, on the otherhand, have done the unthinkable, dashing the title hopes of the second-ranked University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors after handing them their second straight loss, 70-67, in the single round robin semifinal round.

The win allowed the Baby Lancers to stay in contention for the remaining finals ticket which they will contest for against the Junior Webmasters, whose title hopes are still alive despite their loss to the Magis Eagles.

While the Magis Eagles lorded it over the others with a clean 2-0 slate, both the Baby Lancers and the Junior Webmasters tote a 1-1 card. The Baby Warriors, despite one more game against the Magis Eagles, have dropped out of contention with an 0-2 record.

The Magis Eagles will face the winner of the Junior Webmasters versus the Baby Lancers match in the best of three finals while the loser will play for third place against the Baby Warriors which will be a knockout game.

UV Baby Lancers shock USC Baby Warriors

It has been one shocking loss after the other for the Baby Warriors as after bowing to the Junior Webmasters last Thursday, they succumbed to the Baby Lancers after failing to contain Raul Jancork Cabahug who led UV with another double-double performance of 25 points and 16 rebounds. He also made two assists and two steals.

Only one other Baby Lancer finished in double figures, Jim Paul Amistoso who contributed 13 points.

In contrast, 3 Baby Warriors scored in double figures – Alje Mendez with 17 points, Briedyn Aleyth Smith who had 13 points and Neon Aleikhem Chavez who added 10 points – but it was to no avail.

Cabahug scattered 11 points in the first half to give the Baby Lancers a 4-point advantage in the first quarter, 21-17. The Baby Lancers then held on to a 3-point lead, 38-35, at the halftime break.

The break did no wonders for the Baby Warriors who saw the Baby Lancers lead surge to 14 points on a triple from Marvin Rey Oche inside the two-minute mark of the third quarter.

John Benedick Damolo, however, combined with Mendez to bring the Baby Warriors deficit down to nine points, 50-59, going into the final canto.

The Baby Warriors rallied in the fourth quarter to get as close as 4 points, 60-64, at the 3:50 mark as they held the Baby Lancers to just 5 points.

The Baby Lancers, however, pulled away to 6 points, 66-69, on a basket from Amistoso.

A trey from Jholo Pakanna right after the last two minutes was announced brought the Baby Warriors just 3 points behind once again, 68-65.

Cabahug brought the Baby Lancers up by five, 70-65, as Smith also answered with his own layup for a 67-70.

However, two attempts from beyond the arc by Pakanna and another try from Smith failed to advance the Baby Warriors as they saw their title chances fade to dust.

SHS-AdC Magis Eagles trounce UC Junior Webmasters

The Magis Eagles continued their winning run as they pounced on the hapless Junior Webmasters, who was not able to emulate the game they employed to upset the Baby Warriors last Thursday.

Jed Cedrick Colonia was named as the best player with another double-double performance  of 13 points and 17 rebounds. He also had four assists and three steals.

Andrew Vincent Velasco topscored for the Magis Eagles with 15 points.

Grenal Malubay led the Junior Webmasters with 11 points.

The Magis Eagles started the ballgame with a 6-0 run but the Junior Webmasters was able to tie the game twice before trailing by six points, 23-17, going into the second quarter.

With one of UC’s top hoopster, Jason Florence Abejo, limping off the court after he was pushed down, the Junior Webmasters saw the Magis Eagles’ advantage soar to 22 points with a minute and 25 seconds remaining in the first half.

The Magis Eagles did not let up as they post a 26-point lead at the end of the third quarter.

They eventually posted their highest advantage at 34 points, 79-45, inside the last two-minute mark of the ballgame.

Game schedule – September 20 at New Cebu Coliseum

Juniors Semifinals

2:30 pm- SHS-AdC vs USC
4 pm – UC vs UV

College Eliminations

5:30 pm – USC vs UV

Scores:

First Game:

UV (70) – Cabahug 25, Amistoso 13, Yerro 7, Balazuela 6, Oche 6, Ram. Alforque 4, Paraldo 4, Royce Alforque 3,  Laurente 2, Membrano 2.

USC (67) – Mendez 17, Smith 13, Chavez 10, Laurente 9, Macandog 6, Ranuco 4, Gato 2, Pakanna 2, Damolo 1.

Quarter Scores: 21-17; 38-35; 59-50; 70-67.

Second Game:

SHS (79) – Velasco 15, Colonia 13, P. Yu 9, Chua 7, Bersaluna 6, Mantua 6, Pastor 6, Manaytay 4, Visser 4, Calumpang 3, Chen 2, Javelosa 2, J. Yu 2.

UC (47) – Malubay 11, Ecal 8, Abejo 7, Mangubat 6, Gabisan 4, Cabansay 2, Cuyos 2, Labrada 2, Pardo 2, Florita 1, Hemida 1, Santome 1.

Quarter Scores: 23-17; 45-24; 60-34; 79-47. – Rappler.com