CEBU, Philippines - After falling by close decision to the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers in the season-opener, it did not take long for Carlo Britt Reroma to savor his first victory as head coach of the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors.
Fighting with renewed vigor, Reroma and the Baby Warriors smoothly sailed to a 71-48 victory over the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars for their first win in the juniors division of the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The big men of the Baby Warriors made things happen for the big day of Reroma as Jed Robin Baltazar scattered 14 points in dominating fashion at the paint, even as Kervin Villagracia and MarcAandre Ting also helped in controlling the boards to ensure their masterful conquest of the smaller Baby Jaguars.
The likes of Clint Suelto and Paul Galinato were also a huge factor on the offensive end, combining for 21 points as USC dealt the Baby Jaguars their second straight loss in as many starts. Earl Joffet Ponte was the only bright spot for the USJ-R bantams with 13 markers.
In the other games, defending champion Sacred Heart School-Atendeo de Cebu Magis Eagles drubbed the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Junior Greywolves, 75-45, while the Cebu Eastern College Dragons overcame a spirited resistance by the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildkittens to pull off a 72-63 triumph.
Thus, the Magis Eagles and the Dragons forged a three-way tie at the top of the standings with the Baby Lancers on identical 2-0 records.
The game of the day went to the Dragons and the Wildkittens as the former blew away a 17-point lead but recovered in time with clutch baskets from James Mark Roa and Chris Mar Salac in the windup.
After enjoying a 52-35 advantage, the Dragons committed a spate of errors, allowing the Wildkittens to pull within just a hairline, 59-60, with a little over two minutes left in the contest. At that point, CEC coach Mark Tallo was whistled for a technical foul for excessive complaining.
The Wildkittens, however, failed to make the most from the opportunity, enabling the exuberant Dragons to finish them off instead. Roa led the Dragons with 22 points. (FREEMAN)