1 August 2019
CEBU CITY—The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars prevailed in their respective sudden-death matches to set up a championship showdown in the juniors division of the 2019 Cesafi Partners’ Cup last Thursday, August 1, at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Magis Eagles successfully bucked a twice-to-win handicap after they downed the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, 69-57, while the Baby Jaguars turned back the upset-conscious University of Cebu (UC) Baby Webmasters, 53-46.
Ateneo and USJR, thus, set up a race-to-two title series, while the UV Green Lancers and the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras will have their own best-of-three championship clash for the seniors crown.
The Baby Lancers raced to an early 15-4 lead but they went on to waste their twice-to-beat bonus when the Magis Eagles dominated the final half.
The trio of Mike Boniel, Ariel Dinglasan and Jhoernel Tangkay conspired in a 32-17 as Ateneo never looked back after leading at the half, 36-32.
Boniel scored 17 points to top Ateneo, which forced the rubbermatch after beating the Baby Lancers in their first encounter, 69-57.
Zylle Cabellon led the Baby Lancers with 13 points.
Ryzel Abatayo, on the other hand, helped the twice-to-beat Baby Jaguars avoid a huge meltdown by firing 14 points. Diether Go and Kevin Guibao backed Abatayo with 10 points each as USJ-R recovered from their 66-60 loss in its initial meeting with UC.
Mac-Z Micutuan was the lone Baby Webmaster in double figures with 14 points.
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