CESAFI: Magis Eagles edge UC to bolster Twice-to-Beat bid

SHS-AdC Magis Eagles’ Froilan Maglasang fires a three during their Cesafi Season 24 game vs. UC. | Photo from Sugbuanong Kodaker

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles continued their dominant run in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 High School Basketball Tournament, claiming their eighth straight victory with a 68-59 triumph over the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters on Saturday, November 16, at the Cebu Coliseum.

The win improved the Magis Eagles’ record to 8-1, tightening their grip on the second seed and bringing them within striking distance of securing the coveted twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

Meanwhile, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars became the first team to officially clinch a twice-to-beat incentive earlier in the day after cruising past the Cebu Roosevelt Memorial College (CRMC) Baby Mustangs, finishing the elimination round on top with a 10-1 record.

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The Magis Eagles’ victory further complicated the playoff race, particularly for the Baby Webmasters, whose 7-3 record leaves their Final Four hopes hanging in the balance. UC is now locked in a pivotal battle for the fourth and final playoff berth with the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, who currently sit at 6-3. The two teams are set to clash in a make or break game on November 26, with the winner advancing to the semifinals.

Adding to it is the third-seeded University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, holding a 7-2 record. The Baby Lancers remain a serious threat to the Magis Eagles’ second-place standing.

The Baby Lancers need to sweep their final two games—against the bottom-dwelling CRMC Baby Mustangs and Benedicto College Baby Cheetahs—to dislodge SHS-AdC for the twice-to-beat advantage.

All SHS-AdC needs to do to secure the last twice-to-beat bonus is to get one win in its last two games as one more victory by the Eagles will quash UV’s hopes of earning the crucial incentive even if it sweeps its last two assignments.

During their CESAFI game on Saturday, Baby Webmasters started strong, opening the game with a 10-5 lead. The Magis Eagles quickly responded, finding their rhythm and tying the contest at 17-all by the end of the first quarter. They then surged ahead in the second period, establishing a 37-29 halftime advantage.

In the third quarter, SHS-AdC broke the game wide open with a 21-point lead, 55-34, as their suffocating defense and efficient offense overwhelmed UC. The Baby Webmasters mounted a late rally in the final period, cutting the deficit to 11 points, 63-52, but the Magis Eagles held their ground to seal the victory.

Froilan Maglasang once again led the way for the Magis Eagles, pouring in a game-high 24 points. The sharpshooting guard was a lethal 6-of-12 from beyond the arc and finished 8-of-18 from the field overall. He also contributed five rebounds, three assists, and three steals in a well-rounded effort.

Rookie center Coriantumr Cabantug added 16 points, six rebounds, and an assist, while team captain Alden Paul Cainglet and Benj Anthony Chua combined for 17 points to provide additional scoring support.

The Baby Webmasters struggled offensively, with no player reaching double figures. Stephen Pagalan led UC with nine points, while Allen Doverte and Jehu Syx Romanos contributed eight points each.