DEFENDING national champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles and the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers showed their dominance over their respective semifinals opponents to forge best-of-three finals showdown for the Cebu City Leg title of the SM-National Basketball Training Center Elite League starting today.
The Magis Eagles scored a route over the University of San Carlos Baby Warriors, 73-52, while the Baby Lancers survived the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Baby Panthers, 85-82, last Wednesday at the USPF Gym.
The Paref-Springdale Titans will play the St. Isidore Parish School Tamaraws in a knockout championship for the Mandaue City Division (Div. 2) at 1:30 p.m., while the Magis Eagles will host the Baby Lancers in the series opener at 3:30 p.m. at the Magis Eagles Arena in Canduman, Mandaue City.
Paref Titans will bank on former RP U-14 team member Joshua Balankig, Ed Galang, John Sainz and Jett Sy, while SIPS Tamaraws will be powered by Ian Pelayo, Jon Siacor, John Serrano and Sherwin Tampus. Both squads aim for the slot to the national finals, which will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on March 13-17.
Meanwhile, Travis Mantua spearheaded the strong start of the Magis Eagles as he scored five of the SHS-AdC’s 19 first quarter points that set the tempo of the game.
The Baby Warriors however was determined to score an upset and rallied behind the nine-point production of Francis Cristota to take a 20-19 lead in the opening quarter.
However, USC failed to carry the momentum to the next two quarters giving the Magis Eagles the chance to deliver the kill with another balanced offensive as they outscored the Baby Warriors, 42-14, to build an insurmountable 61-34 lead entering the final period.
JB Damolo tried his best to rally USC back into contention scoring nine points but he never the needed backing from his teammates.
Andrew Velasco scored 15 points for the Magis Eagles, who had 11 players scoring, while Damolo topped USC with 17 points as Cristota added 13.
In the main game, Raul Jancork Cabahug scored 13 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter to lead UV back to the finals in the NBTC Cebu City Leg.
The Baby Lancers nearly wasted a 59-47 lead at the start of the final period when Ain Obenza broke loose in the final period.
Obenza scored 20 of USPF’s 35 fourth quarter points that gave scare to the Baby Lancers.
Thankfully, a late basket by Joshua Yerro and the two pressure packed free throws of Cabahug saved the Lancers from the brink of defeat.
Yerro finished with 14 points and Beir Laurente scored all of his 12 points in the first half to help UV win, while Obenza scored tournament high 40 points for the Baby Panthers.