CEBU, Philippines - One by one, the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons are getting back at their tormentors during the elimination round.
After pulling off 63-62 stunner that ended Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu's 22-game winning streak, the Dragons went on to score a vengeful 79-72 victory over the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors for a rousing 2-0 start in the semifinals of the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketballl tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Mark Roa and Mark Vincent Berdera scattered 15 and 14 points, respectively, while Alfonso Alviso, Jr. charted a dozen markers for the Dragons, who blew hot and cold in fending off the Baby Warriors.
CEC raced to a start 12-0, but the Baby Warriors staged a courageous fightback, with Paul Galinato pouring in 12 points in an 18-2 blitz that put USC ahead by seven, 57-50. The Carolinians even made it 64-55 midway in the final period, but the Dragons suddenly detonated a devastating 21-4 bomb that did not only wipe out their huge deficit but also gave them a 76-68 breather on a triple by Denzel Sabroso with 1:25 left to play.
Junaeu Antigua replied with four straight points, but time was not on USC's side as CEC safely cruised to another breath-taking win.
Earlier, the SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles rode on the endgame heroics of Jair Igna and Arnie Padilla in squeezing out a 76-71 victory over the gritty University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers. Igna unloaded 28 points on top of six steals and four rebounds, while Padilla banged in 24 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and one block as the Magis Eagles took a heavy sigh of relief after a heart-breaking loss to the Dragons.
SHS-Ateneo's deadly one-two punch combined for only 17 points in that frustrating setback, but both dished out a monster showing last night, conspiring for 22 of the team's 25-point output in the final quarter that brought heavyt damage on the Baby Lancers. After Igna sank the go-ahead triple that put the Magis Eagles on top for the first time, 67-66, since losing an early 36-43 lead, Padilla made back-to-back hits shots, giving the Magis Eagles a 71-68 cushion with 1:12 left to play.
UV's Joshua Flores answered with a triple to knot the count at 71-all but Igna scored on a barelling drive to put the Magis Eagles in front again, 73-71, with only 23 seconds to go. The Baby Lancers had a chance to tie the score and possibly forge an overtime but Flores committed a costly error at the inbound that spelled UV's doom. Padilla and Igna then went 3-of-4 from the foul line in the final 19 seconds of the contest to seal the deal for the Magis Eagles.
Jun Kent Manzo paced the Baby Lancers with 20 points, including 11 in a furious third-quarter uprising that saw them leading by eight, 58-50. He kept his sizzling offensive in the windup but got no ample support from the rest of his teammates when it mattered most.
Ernesto Limirates netted 17 points, while Fritz Cañete tossed in 15 markers but left a huge void at UV's frontcourt as he fouled out with still 6:52 left to play. Flores finished with 12 points for the Baby Lancers, who crashed to their second straight defeat in as many semifinal starts.
The scores
First game
SHS-Ateneo (76) - Igna 28, Padilla 24, Mayol 7, Laguyo 6, Jaboneta 6, Ecarma 5
V (71) - Manzo 20, Limitares 17, Cañete 15, Flores 12, Wamar 5, Escalona 2
Second game
CEC (79) - Roa 15, Berdera 14, Alviso 12, Sabroso 10, Buli-Buli 9, Obado 7, Tan 4, Salac 3, Pagalan 3, Chi 2
USC (72) - Galinato 16, De la Cruz 15, J. Antigua 14, Suelto 12, Villagracia 8, Antigua 3, Sable 2, Ortega 2 (FREEMAN)