SHS-Ateneo nears title

CEBU, Philippines - Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu is now just a win away from the secondary title of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) basketball tournament after last night’s game at the Cebu Coliseum.

One of the major reasons for the win against the University of the Visayas was SHS-AdC triggerman Jari Igna, who scored all of his 15 points in the final period to help his team post a 73-69 win and take a 2-1 series lead.

Igna capped his fourth quarter fireworks with three triples and has given his team a huge psychological edge going to the fourth game of the series this weekend.

 The Magis Eagles, who might have learned a lesson from their devastating 81-56 loss in Game 2, made sure that they would keep the game close this time.

Team officials that included athletic director Rico Navarro told The Freeman the other day that their big loss was due to their "immaturity" because most of them are only 16 years old.   

Igna's three-point play off a foul by Nelson Peralta in the final 2.8 seconds proved to be the insurance baskets for the Magis Eagles because that gave them a four-point lead.   

Ron Marvis Dennison hit a triple to bring the Baby Lancers to within one, 69-70, with 12 seconds to go in the game.

Then Igna settled the final count with his three-point play.

Henric Dawn Ochea had 17 points to lead the Magis Eagles.   

As usual Andres Paul Desiderio top scored for the Baby Lancers with 16 points and Matthew Oche added 11 markers.   

The Magis Eagles could wrap up the crown in Game to be played tomorrow.   

As of presstime, Game 3 of the collegiate finals was still in progress with defending champion University of Cebu were going for a 3-0 sweep against Southwestern University (SWU).

The scores   

SHS-AdC (Jrs.) 73 – Ochea 17, Igna 15, Yu 9, Cadavis 6, Suarez5, Go 5   

UV (Jrs.) 69 – Desiderio 16, Oche 11, Dennison 8, Lucero 7, Peralta 7, Ugsang 7, Berdin 1  (FREEMAN)