Holy Spirit of Tagbilaran makes impressive debut in Alaska Cup

CEBU, Philippines - Rookie team Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran City made an impressive debut when it defeated the University of the Visayas (UV), 64-42, in a Division 1 Under 13 age group game on opening day of the Alaska Basketball Cup Cebu (ABCC) 2014 at the Magis Eagles Arena of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. Also winning their first game were the hosts Magis Eagles, who cruised to a 74-26 win over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).

The reigning Tagbilaran City champions coached by lawyer Aquilino Felicitas jumped to a 20-11 lead after one quarter to set the tone for the rest of the game, warding off all of UV’s attempts to cut the lead down. After taking a 31-23 halftime lead and a 44-34 lead at the end of the third quarter, HSS broke the game wide open in the fourth quarter.

Karl Erick Nacuna and Axel Kent Pinos had 12 points each to lead Holy Spirit. Kerby Abelarde had nine points for UV.

In the other game, SHS-AdC started out cold, then blanked USJ-R in the second period to settle the game early. After a 12-11 first quarter lead, SHS-AdC blanked USJ-R in the second period while pouring in 30 points on the way to a commanding 42-11 halftime lead. It was smooth sailing from the on there. Ethan Fajardo led SHS-AdC with 13 points while Angelo Jabalon and Chris Balabat had 11 points each. Selwyn Pepito led USJ-R with nine.

Former PBA star Jojo Lastimosa, who once played for USJ-R, Mama’s Love and M. Lhuillier during his younger days in Cebu, welcomed the 50 participating teams at the opening ceremonies, urging everyone to maximize their opportunities to develop their character by playing basketball, something he didn’t enjoy when he was younger.

The ABCC is a partnership between Alaska Milk and the Cebu Youth Basketball League (CYBL), which is on its seventh season this year. The tie-up assures CYBL teams of the staging of three tournaments throughout the year.         

The year-starting tournament features three age groups: Under 10, 13 and 16. The Under 13 and 16 age groups are split into two divisions to maintain a competitive balance among the teams. (FREEMAN)