UV Baby Lancers win Game 1 in CESAFI Best-of-3 junior title series

He then opened the final quarter with 5 straight points to stretch the UV Baby Lancers lead to 4 points, 53-49.

Laurente then took up the scoring cudgels for the Baby Lancers with 4 straight points of his own to bring their advantage to 8 points, 57-49.

However, with a fifth title on the line, the Magis Eagles were not about to give up easily with Patrich Wilson Yu keeping them close at 51-57. 

Eric Gabrielle Tuadles had a chance to further staved off the Baby Lancers lead when he was gifted with 3 charities when he was fouled by Justin Jake Rosete who fouled out with still 5 minutes left in the ballgame.

Tuadles, however, only managed to convert one of his gift shots.

Still refusing to concede the game, the Magis Eagles were brought closer at just 3 points behind on the efforts of Jhon Benedict Yu, 54-57, with 4 minutes remaining on the clock.

However, Amistoso and Laurente once again combined for 5 points to bring back the Baby Lancers lead to 8 points, 62-54.

Yerro then added 5 straight points to make it a 10-point advantage for the Baby Lancers just before the last two minutes of the ballgame.

Jhiey Paraldo then sealed the UV Baby Lancers 69-59 win over the Magis Eagles who managed to sneak in a basket courtesy of Joseph Joshua Fuentebella just before the buzzer sounded to end the ballgame.

It had looked like the Baby Lancers already had Game 1 in the bag when they opened the ballgame with a 5-0 run and eventually ended the first quarter with an 11-point lead, 20-9.

However, the Magis Eagles showed their spirit by staying focused and capitalizing on several mistakes the Baby Lancers committed, eventually ending the first half just 6 points behind, 28-34. 

Game 2 will be on Thursday, October 12, 5 pm, with the UV Baby Lancers leading the Best-of-3 junior title series 1-0.

Earlier, the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) Jaguars mangled the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 85-69, to end their CESAFI collegiate campaign in third place.

The Jaguars had ended the double elimination round at second place. However, they lost their chance at the title when they wasted their twice-to-beat advantage after bowing to the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters who will be facing the defending champion UV Green Lancers in also a Best-of-3 series for the collegiate title with 

Game 1 will occur tomorrow, Wednesday, October 11, at 5 pm.

Leading the Jaguars third place finish was Juan Miguel Gastador with 18 points. He also wowed the crowd with a massive dunk.

John Reel Saycon, on the other hand, have been very consistent for the Warriors, topscoring with 20 points despite for a losing cause.   

The Scores

Game 1 Best-of-3 Junior

UV Baby Lancers (69) – Laurente 14, Amistoso 11, Yerro 11, Paraldo 10, Maglasang 6, Rosete 5, Omandac 4, Jelianggao 3, Tano 3, Intrampas 2.

SHS-AdC Magis Eagles (59) – Manaytay 13, PW Yu 13, Colonia 11, Tuadles 5, BJ Yu 4, Chua 3, Lapina 3, Diaz 2, Fuentebella 2, Cutamora 1, Javelosa 1, Visser 1.

Fight for Third (College)

USJR Jaguars (85) – Gastador 18, Dinolan 15, Navarra 12, Mantilla 9, Calang 6, Catiloc 6, Ubalde 6, Pacanuayan 5, Cabrera 4, Peromingan 4.

USC Warriors (69) – Saycon 20, Tan 15, Oleodo 11, Divinagracia 7, Ecarma 6, Araw-Araw 5, Cabanog 2, Rabat 2, Aranas 1.