CEBU, Philippines - The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles completed their fairytale run in style, dethroning the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers via three-game sweep of their best-of-five title showdown anchored on a 77-72 victory last night at the Cebu Coliseum to clinch their first ever championship in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) history.
With five seconds left to play and the Magis Eagles led by three points, 72-75, a little confusion arose when dozens of blue and white balloons representing the SHS-AdC colors fell from the ceiling of the gym.
That drew the ire of UV head coach Delfin Pepito, Jr. as SHS-Ateneo player Arc Gabrielle Araw-Araw has yet to take two free throws off a foul by June Kent Manzo.
The Baby Lancers were hoping that Araw-Araw will miss his attempts and then make a three-pointer to send the game into overtime.
It did not happen anyway as Araw-Araw calmly sank his twin gift shots in his longest five seconds of the tournament.
In that instance, Pepito and his players nearly walked out of the match in a fit of frustration. They returned to the floor only after the intercession of CESAFI commissioner Felix O. Tiukinhoy, Jr., who persuaded them to finish the game or else they will be penalized.
Araw-Araw had another game-saving performance for the Magis Eagles, finishing with 18 points including the go-ahead basket for his side, 69-68, at the final 2:52 mark of the contest.
The Baby Lancers threatened for the last time at 70-71 as Giovanni Laguyo scored on a barreling drive and then Araw-Araw hit a perimeter jumper to give the Magis eagles a 75-70 breather with only 30 ticks to go before the final buzzer.
Henric Dawn Ochea's offensive engine again conked out, but Fletcher Galvez stepped up bigtime to compliment the big night of Araw-Araw with 16 points.
"This is the sweetest of all our victories," said an ecstatic SHS-Ateneo coach Rommel Rasmo, who finally steered the Magis Eagles to crowning glory - something that they were deprived of during the past two seasons.
And what a way to celebrate such monumental feat as the Magis Eagles ended the season undefeated in 14 games. No other juniors team has made such accomplishment in the 12-year history of the CESAFI.
The Baby Lancers, who lost a 10-point lead twice, the last was at 21-11 in the first period, were led by Andres Paul Desiderio with 19 points. Dinolan and John Escalona chipped in 14 and 13 markers, respectively, but their efforts went for naught. (FREEMAN)
The scores
SHS-AdC (77) - Araw-Araw 18, Galvez 16, Ochea 9, Competeten 8, Senining 8, Laguyo 8, Jaboneta 6, Padilla 2, Cercado 2
UV (72) - Desiderio 19, Dinolan 14, Escalona 13, Dela Cerna 8, Cabanilla 7, Limitares 5, Cañete 4, Santillan 2
Halftime: 36-38