SHS-Ateneo shackles UC, inches closer to four-peat

John Bryle Cuyos of University of Cebu stretches for a lay-up against three defenders from the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in Game 1 of the Cesafi secondary basketball tournament best-of-three championship series last night at the Cebu Coliseum (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO).

The last time the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) and the University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters met in the finals, the Magis Eagles authored a tremendous beatdown to capture their third straight crown.

In Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series last night, the Magis Eagles did much of the same as a swarming defense rendered UC’s hotshots useless to help them come away with a dominant 69–45 victory to stand on the cusp of a fourth straight championship in the 16th Cesafi high school basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

After losing twice to UC in this tournament, Ateneo de Cebu suddenly had all the answers this time behind the leadership of veteran forward Eroll Pastor who had 16 points and seven rebounds.

Andrew Velasco who came off the bench to score 15, while reigning league MVP Jed Colonia was his usual all-around self as he scored 12 points, pulled down four rebounds, dished out three assists, had two blocks and two steals.

As for UC, it was left with nothing but questions as nobody reached double-figures with Johnbryl Cuyos being the high-point man with nine. Lead guard Gelmart Umpad was held down to just four points and missed all 12 of his shots from the field. Versatile forward Luigi Gabisan was no better as he too managed just four points.

Behind an unrelenting pressure defense that put the shackles on UC’s most potent players, the Magis Eagles sped off to a 14-4 lead after the first five minutes of action and eventually led 21-6 bulge after the first period.

Though the Baby Webmasters finally shook off the nerves and started hitting some shots, the Magis Eagles hardly missed a beat as Pastor and Colonia swished free-throws while Andre Chua canned a fastbreak lay-up at the halftime buzzer to give them a huge 39-20 lead.

The lead reached a high of 29, at 53-24, as the Magis Eagles opened the third with a 14-4 run capped by consecutive baskets by Velasco.

UC tried to rally but could only come as close as 16, 38-54, before the Magis Eagles got going again en route to snatching the series-opening win.

Meanwhile, in the battle for third place, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers rallied from a 21-point deficit to defeat the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, 72–70.

Jhiey Paraldo scored 15 while Beirn Laurente added 13 for UV.