CEBU, Philippines - The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles steamrolled the University of Cebu Juniors Webmasters, 79-47, to seal a finals berth, while the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers kicked the University of San Carlos Baby Warriors out of contention, 70-66, in the juniors division of the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Andrew Velasco charted 15 points, while Jed Colonia, well-rounded as ever, tossed in 13 points on top of 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals for the Magis Eagles, who got off to a blazing start and never looked back after posting a huge 45-24 lead at halftime. Their biggest advantage, however, stood as 34 points, 79-45, on a basket by Andre Benedict Chua with only 1:02 left to play.
Earlier, Raul Jancork Cabahug muscled his way to another solid double-double show of 25 points and 16 rebounds for the Baby Lancers, who will figure in a do-or-die showdown against the Junior Webmasters at 4 p.m. today for the remaining finals ticket.
Despite having four fouls, Cabahug, who also had two assists and as many steals, made the most out of his presence by cashing in four crucial points within the final two minutes of the contest that extinguished the comeback hopes of the Baby Warriors.
The Baby Lancers of coach Abel Bungcaras were in command from the start, even sprinting to a 14-point lead at 59-45 count with 1:08 left in the third quarter, but the Baby Warriors gallantly crept back to pull within just four points, 62-66 at the final 2:26 mark.
The burly but graceful Cabahug, however, quickly came to UV's rescue by scoring on two tough post-up plays in succession against the taller and bigger USC slotman Briedyn Smith that kept the Baby Lancers' heads above the water, 70-64, with on a minute to go in the game.
The thing of beauty for the Baby Lancers is that Cabahug got a lot of support from his teammates this time, particularly from flashy guard Jim Paul Amistoso who finished with 13 points on top of three rebounds and two assists.
Alje Mendez and Smith topscored with 17 and 13 points, respectively, for the Baby Warriors, who hope for a graceful exit although it would be a tall order for them as they take on the Magis Eagles at 2:30 this afternoon. (FREEMAN)