SHS-Ateneo teams win in MYBL-Cebu playoffs

CEBU, Philippines — It was the turn of the Magis Eagles to secure clutch wins as two of their three teams moved on to the next round of the playoffs of the MVPSF Youth Basketball League-Cebu (MYBL-Cebu) presented by Smart Communications and backed by Cebu Landmasters Inc. and PAGCOR.

The SHS-Ateneo Juniors B rallied to oust Sisters of Mary School-Boystown, 61-57, in an Under 18 Division 1 quarterfinal round game, while the SHS-AteneoPasserelle A team, squeaked past GAA, 75-71, in overtime, in an Under 18 Division 2 game.

Benthel Asia School of Technology spoiled a sweep of games as it ousted SHS-Ateneo B, 56-52, in an Under 12 Division 1 quarterfinal round game.

The SHS-Ateneo Juniors B side found itself playing catch-up all game long, falling behind, 8-18, 28-29 and 40-47 at the end of the first three periods.

SMS Boystown was up 52-43, early in the fourth period before the Magis Eagles finally woke up with an 11-2 run, tying the game at 54-all, 1:05 left in the game.

 Angelo Jabalon, RaffyCelis and Uri Avila did the damage while Joseph Dytian hit a dagger triple in the rally. Celis and Tristan Fuentes gave SHS-Ateneo a 59-54 lead before CJ Gonzales hit a booming triple to slice the lead to 59-57, nine ticks remaining.

Celis then iced the game from the free throw line. He had 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots to lead the Magis Eagles. Jabalon and Avila combined for 22 points. CJ Gonzales led Boystown with 16 points, including three triples.

In a Division 2’s Under 18 quarterfinal round game, SHS-AteneoPasserelle A needed an extra five minutes to put out a tough GAA side.

After putting up leads of 24-17, 41-and 50-41, the Magis Eagles relaxed and paid dearly for it as GAA came from behind to tie the game at 59-all at the end of regulation.

The game was nip and tuck from then on before Michael Asoro and Jared Bahay took over. Asoro had 26 points and 17 rebounds while Bahayahd 15 points and seven assists.

In the game that slipped away for the guys in blue, Benthel made two clutch triples in the dying minutes to move on to the semifinals for the Under 12 Division 1.

 Down 41-35 at the end of the third period, Benthel slowly but surely chipped away at the lead and tied the game twice at 40-all and 45-all.

With SHS-Ateneo on top 47-45, Vince Gealon swished a triple to give Benthel a 48-47 lead. After Maximillian Ting and Ben Ong gave SHS-Ateneo a 50-48 lead, Luke Dy hit another clutch trey to give Benthel the lead for good, 51-50, 51 seconds left.

Josh Cagara and Dy then iced the game through charities. Cagara led Benthel with 21 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and eight steals. Dy added 14. Ting led SHS-Ateneo with 14 points.