CESAFI juniors semis begins today

CEBU, Philippines – After sweeping all eight games in the elimination round of the juniors division, the well-rested Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles plunges into semifinal action against No.4 seed Cebu Institute of Technology-University Baby Wild Cats in the 14th season of Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Incorporated basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

Meanwhile, second seeded University of the Visayas Baby Lancers go up against University of Southern Philippines Foundation Baby Panthers, who made it to the semifinals for the first time in the history of the league.

In their first meeting last August 10, the Magis Eagles mauled the Baby Wildcats, 78-58.The Magis Eagles then meet the winner of the UV-USPF match the next day.

There are plenty to rely on from the Magis Eagles' with their reliable veteran in Janjan Jaboneta who is tasked to lead the team along with Zach Lance Eden Huang, Nino Araw-araw, Joseph Mayol, Jose Pierro Dominic Longa, Joshua Sinclair, Kevin Brian Johnson, Steven Co and Adrison Gaviola.

The Baby Wildcats on the other hand, counts on the likes of Justin Jules Langres, Jasper Berezo, Jeroel Pedroza, Joshua Philip Manatad, Vince Bradley Hapin, Kevin Plaza and Romy Christian Faunillan.

The Baby Lancers, for their part, will take the Baby Panthers seriously after their close, 61-56, win in the elimination last August 25.

Lancers will bank on the leadership of skipper John Carl Escalona along with Orlan Wamar, Theo Joshua Flores, Raul Jancork Cabahug, James Eduard Zenarosa, Arkins Loreto, Ramish Alforque and Samuel Schaub.

With their upset win against the high-ranked University of San Carlos Baby Warriors last Sunday, the Baby Panthers will be led by key player Ain Obenza with John Bryelle Bahio, Dennis Archival, Carl Carbajosa, Cylde Drexley Avancena and John Alocillo. (FREEMAN)