CEC Dragons crowned back-to-back champions

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons swept the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles in their best-of-three finals with a decisive 66-41 victory in Game 2 to successfully defend their Under 12 throne in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 basketball tournament on Sunday, December 1, at the Cebu Coliseum.

David Hope Gabisan shined the brightest for the Dragons with a 24-point haul laced with five rebounds, three steals and one block in an all-around hardcourt brilliance that made him the hands down choice as Finals Most Valuable Player.

It was a triple celebration for Gabisan as he also made it to the Mythical 5 together with his teammate Alexander Gabriel Panon, Dwayne James Paceno of the Magis Eagles, Daniel Xian Chiong of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Baby Wildcats, and Vincent Geonzon of the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors.

The Dragons started out cold resulting to an early nine-point deficit, 7-16, but launched an explosive counter-attack to seize a 34-24 advantage at the bend.

The Dragons maintained double-digit leads from there onwards, putting the game to bed with an insurmountable 57-34 advantage in the final four minutes before breezing through a 25-point blowout of the Magis Eagles at the final buzzer.

“First of all, I thank the Lord above for giving us this championship and to the CEC community especially the parents and teachers who supported the players. Thank you, we are now back-to-back champions!” said coach Rodmark del Rosario, who helps chart CEC’s basketball program in tandem with coach Mark Tallo.

The other members of the CEC Dragons U12 squad are Wil Tyler Navasca, Persues Rafael Baguio, Zane Gray Dela Cruz, Samuel Norben Malagar, Kharl James Tupag, Vinz Rowell Juban, Mark Niño Yu, Rhisiart Theon Jayme, Jarold Phil John Lanzar, Dojann Lee Besabella, Jhobem Badajos, Ralph Dylan Bolanio, and Jheric Frederic Apor.

Meanwhile, in the Under 15 finals, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers lived and fight for another day after lashing back at the CEC Dragons, 57-49, in Game 2.

The rubber match of their race-to-2 title series is scheduled at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4. — (FREEMAN)