One for the books: Magis Eagles soar to greater glory with historic four-peat in CESAFI

CEBU, Philippines — The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles swept the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars in their best-of-three finals with an emphatic 66-55 victory in Game 2 to complete a historic four-peat in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 basketball tournament on Friday night, December 6, at the Cebu Coliseum.

With this, the Magis Eagles etched their name in stone as the first ever high school team in CESAFI's 24-year history to grab four consecutive crowns that started when they regained their throne in the pre-pandemic era back in 2019.

In achieving the monumental feat, the Magis Eagles also snatched the record as the winningest juniors squad in Cebu's premiere inter-school league with eight titles overall since their breakthrough success in 2012 under the guidance of Rommel Rasmo.

It was the turning point of Sacred Heart's great transformation from a perennial doormat to a dominant force in the league.

Aside from gaining distinction for being the most decorated coach in the secondary level, Rasmo also moved one step away from tying the CESAFI all-time mark of coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug, who piloted the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers to nine straight championship trophies from 2000 to 2009 in the college division.

Flashy guard Froilan Maglasang reminded everyone that he is the league's 3-point king, hitting 5-of-12 from beyond the arc as he powered the Magis Eagles to a fourth golden glory in a row with 20 points on top of one rebound, one assist and three steals that earned him the Finals MVP award.

Maglasang was joined in the elite Mythical 5 by his teammate Lian Kent Basa, Carlo Salgarino of the University of Cebu (UV) Baby Webmasters, Roderick Cambarijan Jr. of the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, and J Lord Pepito of the Baby Jaguars.

Big man Jelomar Rota pulled down a dozen rebounds to go with his nine points while Basa, who survived in injury scare in the first half, and Xander Magbanua combined for 15 points for the Magis Eagles, who broke a once close match wide open with a sizzling third-quarter offensive show.

With the score tied at 36-all, the Magis Eagles detonated an 18-5 bomb to pull away for a 54-41 advantage after three quarters, which they stretch to as high as 15 points, 59-44, late in the game.

Basa added seven boards, four assists, two steals and a block, Magbanua had three rebounds, one assist and two steals, while Lars Fjellvang also made his presence felt with 11 rebounds to spice up his six points, two assists and a block.

Kyle Matthew Barrieta finished with 15 points and four steals while Pepito and Jan Vince Oringo connived for 21 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks for the Baby Jaguars, who can still hold their heads up high despite failing to end their 22-year title drought with their first runner-up honors in a packed 12-team field. — (FREEMAN)