CIT-U stuns SHS-Ateneo in CESAFI juniors caging

CEBU, Philippines – In one special moment, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens roared as if they're like a pack of mighty lions.

That is practically what the Wildkittens did after they pulled off a 60-57 stunner over the previously undefeated Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles for their first win the double round juniors division semifinals of the 14th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Wildkittens wasted away a 25-point advantage early in the fourth period but held on their ground when the game was on the line, then won a battle of turnovers in the closing seconds of the contest to send the Magis Eagles crashing back to earth after compiling 11 consecutive wins.

So sweet the victory was that the Wildkittens talked about it lengthily at their locker room with big smiles dominating their faces as if they've clinched a championship.

"I'm very happy with what we have achieved today. It's really a huge win for us. Beating a formidable team such as SHS-Ateneo is something special and meaningful for us," said a jubilant CIT-U head coach Andot Fuentes.

After a 10-3 start, the Wildkittens surprisingly dictated the pace of the match the rest of the way, even posting a  commanding 50-25 lead with just a minute gone by in the final period.

But flashing a never-say-die spirit, the Magis Eagles staged a decisive endgame comeback anchored on their highly effective full-court trapping defense that forced the Wildkittens to a string of costly miscues. The Ateneans made the most from the opportunity to drop a 18-0 bomb and pull within just two points, 54-56, on two free throws by Joshua Sinclair with still 2:08 left to play.

Jasper Berezo, however, ended CIT-U's five-minute scoring drought with a beautiful acrobatic shot that gave the Wildkittens a 58-54 cushion.

After the two sides exchanged crucial turnovers, Zachy Huang pushed the Magis Eagles to within just a hairline, 57-58, with only nine seconds to go, but what could a great escape by Ateneo was foiled when Edgard Henry Acop calmly knocked pressure-packed free throws that sealed CIT-U's bombshell.

Interestingly, the Magis Eagles did not have a time to warm-up as they arrived at the playing venue just in time for their 5 p.m. match. They usually arrive an hour before their scheduled game, but came in late yesterday as they were caught in a heavy traffic along the Ayala access road because of a fire that hit near the area.

"I don't want to make it as an excuse, but playing without having a warm-up has somehow affected the performance of my players," said SHS-Ateneo coach Rommel Rasmo. "But a loss is a loss. All we have to do is to forget about it and move on. It's not yet over for us." (FREEMAN)