Patrick Wilson Yu of Ateneo de Cebu goes for a lay up against a USPF Baby Panther during their game in the 2017 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Incorporated (Cesafi) basketball match at the Cebu Coliseum. Ateneo wins, 93 to 50.
(CDNPHOTO/LITO M. TECSON)
Magis Eagles bury Panthers in Cesafi
The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles started their drive for a fifth straight title in the juniors division of the 17th Cesafi basketball tournament on a dominating note, as they declawed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers, 93-50, in a wholly lopsided affair yesterday at the New Cebu Coliseum.
Even without key cogs Travis Mantua, Jeremy Nacua and Errol Pastor, who had already exhausted their eligibility, the Eagles did not miss a beat as they soared from the get-go, posting a 20-11 lead after the first period before stepping on the gas pedal and extending it to 47-28 at halftime.
Coco Tuadles punctuated Ateneo de Cebu’s strong finish in the second half by making a difficult lay-up while getting fouled right before the buzzer sounded.
Even with most of the starters sitting on the bench, the Magis Eagles continued to dominate on both ends of the floor as their reserves – Benedict Chua, Benedict Yu and Tuadles – feasted on the careless defense of the Panthers, to erect a 70-42 lead heading to the game’s final stretch.
Andrew Velasco led the Eagles’ assault with 18 points while Chua pumped in 13. Benedict Yu fired in 12 while Tuadles finished with 10.
USPF did not have a single player reach double-figures in scoring with Jose Achacoso being the high-point man with just nine markers.