Eaglets triumph in return to CESAFI

CEBU, Philippines - The comebacking Sacred Heart School-Jesuits (SHS-J) Eaglets returned after an absence of over a decade to eke out a 94-86 victory over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Bay Panthers yesterday in the opening of the 9th season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc (CESAFI) at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Eaglets, who returned to the league for the first time since they played in the CAAA 13 ago, came into the game with their triple towers in 6-3 Chris Porter, 6-3 Julius Cadavis and 6-1 Jed Rama, son of former vice-governor Enrique Rama.

Among the three, Rama, a mobile big man, did the most damage. He scored 31 points to lead the Eaglets to the win column.

Porter added 16 points.

A smaller player, however, made the plays for the Eaglets when the Baby Panthers threatened in the third period.

Albert Seno together with other guards like Adven Jess Diputado, brother of UV’s Christ Victor Diputado made heady plays to help preserve the win, when the Baby Panthers tried to trap in the third quarter.

The Panthers were just a bucket from tying the score, in the final quarter, but then Seno and Diputado responded.

When asked if his team will make it all the way to the semifinals, Coach Ramil Rasmo said, “We’ll try. We are a very young team and we have nothing to lose.”

Rasmo credited his team’s performance to their preparations including stints in Passarelle tournaments in the city.

As of press time at 8:30 last night, last year’s runner-up University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) Jaguars are still playing against former third placer University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in the lone collegiate game.

            The scores:

SHS (94) — Rama 31, Seno 21, Porter 16, Bacaltos 12, Branzuela 5, Diputado 4, Dinsay 2, Abbu 1

USPF (86) — Rosales 16, Pitogo 12, Arong 11, Diapera 11, Baguio 9, Corcilles 7, Salazar 7, Silao 4, Miñoza 3, Lambujon 2.   (THE FREEMAN)