Wildkittens claw Eagles: Formally seal twice-to-beat edge in CESAFI quarterfinals

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildkittens relied on their almost impeccable outside shooting in the final half to demolish the Sacred Heart School-Jesuit (SHS-J) Eagles, 86-68, and assure themselves of a twice-to-beat advantage in the juniors division of the 9th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season at the Cebu Coliseum.

Down by a hairline at the turn, 40-41, the Wildkittens turned the tables on the Eagles using a 14-0 run that saw them leading by a baker’s dozen, 54-41, early in the third period.

The Wildkittens continue to rain shots in the fourth quarter that the Eaglets could hardly answer resulting into an 18-point rout.

Parading a 5-2 win-loss record, the Wildkittens are currently occupying the third place behind the UC Junior Webmasters and UV Baby Lancers.

Calvin Limalima paced the Wildkittens with 21 points even as four others cashed in double figures.

Franklyn Batiquin finished with 19 points followed by Joseph Nalo with 15 and Mark Jayven Tallo with 14.

Adrian Marvin Ronald Muller led the Eagles with 23 points. Adven Jess Diputado scored 16, while Jerry Jan Albert Seno and Kristoffer Porter added 10 markers apiece but still they couldn’t summon back their old deadly form as they slumped to their third straight setback after an impressive 4-0 start.

The missing link for the Eagles was their formidable big man Jed Rama, who was held off to a paltry one point.

If they lose to the Baby Lancers in their final elimination round assignment, the Eagles cannot avail of the twice-to-beat incentive as they will slide to fifth place overall.

The scores

CIT (86) - Limalima 21, Batiquin 19, Nalos 15, Tallo 14, Figuracion 6, Sanchez 5, Koino 4, Tejam 2

SHS-J (68) - Muller 23, Diputado 16, Seno 10,    Porter 10, Branzuela 4, Cadavis 2, K. Dinsay 2, Rama 1

Halftime: 40-41 (FREEMAN NEWS)