UV Lancers, Magis Eagles head back to CESAFI Finals

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Visayas

(UV) Green Lancers and the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles finished off their respective rivals to make a return trip to the Finals of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 men’s basketball tournament last Friday evening, November 29, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Ivan Clark Alsola produced a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds laced with one assist, one steal and two blocks while team captain Jimpaul Amistoso added 11 points, three assists and two steals as the Lancers slammed the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs, 76-60, to move two wins away from accomplishing another Grand Slam.

The last time they achieved the rare  feat was in 2016 to 2018 seasons under the tutelage of Gary Cortes, who is now gunning for his sixth crown in eight straight Finals appearances since taking over UV’s coaching reins in 2015.

The match was close only in the early goings as the Lancers staged a blistering rally in the middle quarters to surge ahead by as much as 20 points, 70-50, midway in the final period.

The Lancers now brace for a grudge rematch with the undefeated University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, whom they clashed in the past two finals. Game 1 of their best-of-three series is slated on Wednesday, December 4.

In the juniors division, the Magis Eagles rode on the endgame heroics of Lian Kent Basa to knock out the UV Baby Lancers via a close 79-76 decision and brighten up their campaign for a historic four-peat.

Basa tallied 17 points on top of seven boards, two assists and two steals. He scored on a four-point swing that pushed the Magis Eagles back on top, 75-72, after the Baby Lancers briefly regained the lead and then calmly sank two pressure-packed free throws in the final four seconds that sent his side to the ultimate stage of competition.

The Ateneo Hearters actually delivered a balanced offensive performance, with the league’s 3-point king Froilan Maglasang cashing in 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and six steals in a spectacular all-around show.

Coriantumr Cabantog posted a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds while Jelomar Rota chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds for the Magis Eagles, who will try to etch their name in stone as the first high school team to grab four consecutive crowns since CESAFI’s inception 24 years ago.

If they attain that, the Magis Eagles will also claim the record as the winningest juniors squad with eight titles under their belt.

Standing in SHS-Ateneo’s way to glory are the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars. Their race-to-2 championship showdown begins on Tuesday, December 3.