CEC ends SHS-Ateneo's 22-game winning streak

SWU, UV also open semis with rousing victories

CEBU, Philippines - Literally breathing fire against a bitter rival, the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons went on to drop a bombshell right at the start of the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball semifinals yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum after they stunned the previously undefeated defending champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) via a 63-62 cliffhanger and in the process end the Magis Eagles' amazing 22-game winning streak that spanned for nearly a year.

As expected, collegiate heavyweights Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras and the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers kick-started their respective semis campaigns with an easy demolition over separate foes but CEC stole the thunder from them after the Dragons vanquished the most dominant force in the juniors division since last year's season, pulling off a dramatic victory that galvanized their status as an emerging hardcourt power since they clinched a historic championship in 2011.

The win was even made more special with the presence of diehard CEC alumna Chester C. Cokaliong, the man behind the extensive basketball program that has transformed the Dragons from perennial whipping boys into a legitimate title contender in Cebu's premiere inter-school athletic league for the past three years already.

And Cokaliong proved to be the Dragons' lucky charm. With him as their chief cheerleader, the Dragons also had a very energetic game and

made crucial hits when it mattered most.

"I can't describe what I really feel right now. I am at a loss for words. Though we still have a long way to go, ending SHS-Ateneo's 22-game winning streak is already a monumental feat that the Easternians should be proud of. This is truly a big morale-booster as we bid for a return trip to the finals this year," said Cokaliong, himself a decorated cager.

The Dragons actually had a cold start netting only five points in the first 10 minutes of play, allowing the Magis Eagles to mount an 18-5 lead early on.

The Magis Eagles, however, held on to a double-digit edge for the last time at 48-36 late in the third quarter as the Dragons answered with a 10-0 blitz to crawl within just two points, 46-48, with just 40 seconds gone by in the fourth period.

It was at this stage that the two protagonists figured in a see-saw battle that thrilled the spectators to the bones. After a split charities by Mark Roa that gave CEC the upperhand, 61-60, Popoy Navarro knocked in a short-range jumper to put SHS-Ateneo back on top, 62-61, with only 25 seconds left to play.  

The game's final sequence was a thriller, but the Dragons rode on lucky breaks to strike the upset axe on the Magis Eagles. After Sean Cristopher Tan missed a running jumper, Roa got the offensive rebound with 9.3 seconds to go. In a rush with time winding down, Roa overshoots his attempt, but Alfonso Alviso, Jr. turned garbage into gold by converting his follow-up shot for a 63-62 CEC lead with only five ticks remaining before the final buzzer.

The Magis Eagles still had a chance to steal the win, but Gio Laguyo misfired his attempt just a little over the free-throw line as the gameclock

expired, prompting the Dragons and their large throng of fans led by Cokaliong to burst into frenzied celebration.

CEC's 'Big Three' delivered with finesse led by Roa with 17 points on top of 10 rebounds. Alviso banged in 16 points, five rebounds and a block, while Marc Obado finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and one steal.

The Dragons can also be credited for their stifling defense that held SHS-Ateneo's deadly one-two punch in Jair Igna and Arnie Padilla to only 17

points combined. It was Laguyo who topscored with 14 points for the Magis Eagles, who finally tasted defeat since snaring last year's title with an immaculate 14-0 record.

"I think CEC played well and we are not consistent on our effort. It's a lesson for us that we have to play 40 minutes of good basketball and I told my players to lose the game but never to lose the lessons," said SHS-Ateneo coach Roel Rasmo.

In the other juniors division duel, the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors upended the UV Baby Lancers, 83-81.

Later in the night, Cameroonian banger Landry Sanjo pumped in 15 points on top of 18 rebounds as the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras

smothered the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 66-53, to stretch their unbeaten run to eight games in a row, while the UV Green Lancers drew 53 points combined from Mike Harry Nzeussue, Raffy Oktobre, John Abad, and Chris Perolino in their 83-68 rout of the USC Warriors. (FREEMAN)