Baby Jaguars repeat over Magis Eagles

CEBU, Philippines — Exactly a year ago (September 28, 2023), the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-) Baby Jaguars blew past the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles, 62-40, in their first game in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball tournament.

They did it again, albeit via close decision this time.

The Baby Jaguars warded off a spirited endgame resistance to reaffirm their mastery over the two-time defending champions, 75-71,  for a morale-boosting start in CESAFI Season 24 last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

USJ-R  squandered a 17-point edge, 39-22, late in the second period, allowing the never-say-die Magis Eagles to pull within just four points, 68-72, but Kyle Barrieta went 3-of-4 from the foul in the final 48 seconds to practically seal the deal for the Baby Jaguars.

Jan Oringo produced a double-double show of 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Barrieta and Clark Candia connived for 25 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals as the Baby Jaguars gave Julius Cadavis his first win as head coach of USJ-R basketball.

Earlier, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers fired an early warning shot to their rivals as they kicked off their campaign with a 107-45 obliteration of the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors.

John Nathan de la Torre netted 16 points, three rebounds, one assist, and three steals to lead a well-balanced attack that propelled the Baby Lancers to a ruthless 62-point obliteration of the Baby Lancers.

Christophelcian Abellana added 14 points and three rebounds, while Roderick Cambarijan chipped in with 11 points, five rebounds, one assists, and two steals for the Baby Lancers, who held the Baby Warriors to a paltry seven points in the second period while torching 30 to turn an early 26-12 lead into an imposing 44-point bulge, 63-19 at halftime.

Xian Garcia was the lone bright spot for the Baby Warriors with 16 points and six rebounds.

In the other game, the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters breezed through their second straight win via a 66-37 shellacking of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Baby Wildcats.

Marcuz Gilbuena sizzled with 15 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two steals for the Baby Webmasters, who were firmly in control since posting a 28-16 advantage at the break. The Baby Webmasters sustained their sizzling offensive the rest of the way to dump the Baby Wildcats by 29 points a Marcuz Gilbuena sizzled with 15 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two steals for the Baby Webmasters, who were firmly in control since posting a 28-16 advantage at the break. The Baby Webmasters sustained their sizzling offensive the rest of the way to dump the Baby Wildcats by 29 points at the final buzzer. — (FREEMAN)