CEBU, Philippines - Adven Jess Diputado, playing for the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Eagles, wowed his hometown fans upon his return to Dumaguete City as he helped Cebu B-Meg beat Hi-Smart Iloilo, 74-70, to clinch the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Visayas title the other day at the Lamberto C. Macias Memorial Sports Complex.
Diputado, younger brother of UV's Chris Victor Diputado, was among the three SHS Eagles who reinforced the Cebu B-Meg squad along with fellow guard Nico Dotillos and big man Kristoffer James Porter.
The team is bannered by the UV Baby Lancers of coach Delfin Pepito Jr. and assistant coach Abel Bungcaras. Most of them will be playing in the CESAFI Partner's Cup finals against the Enervon-UC Junior Webmasters starting on April 28 in the southern town of Dumanjug.
Baby Lancers rookie Alwin Aguirre topscored for Cebu B-Meg with 13 points, while Vincent Mendoza added 10 points. Edcor Marata, who was named as the MVP and Gerald Legarde each scored eight.
The victory gave Cebu-B Meg a free ticket to the NBTC national finals in Manila on May 28. – THE FREEMAN