Warriors hope to end skid; Magis Eagles eye solo lead

CEBU, Philippines - Defending champions University of San Carlos Warriors and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles take different missions when they face separate foes in the 16th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Warriors hope to check their slump as they battle the University of Cebu Webmasters at 6:45 p.m., while the Magis Eagles go up against the Cebu Eastern College Dragons at 5:15 p.m with the solo lead in the juniors division on top of their minds.

The Warriors are smarting from back-to-back losses, the most latest by 64-72 decision to the University of the Visayas Green Lancers. Prior to that, they bowed to the nine-man University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars, 61-75, in a disappointing loss that set off alarm bells on their title defense.

With their reputation at stake, the Warriors will surely go all-out for the win against the Webmasters, the usual underdogs but are always a thorn to their rivals owing to their big fighting hearts.

Six-foot-eight Congolese import Scothy Ntumba must step up his game for the Warriors. They could also count on Ian Tagapan, Kevin Oleodo, Victor Rabat, Gio Laguyo, Lucky Ecarma, Conrad Catapusan, Jules Langres and Thenor Aslam as they bid to get back on the right track.  

The Webmasters, on the other hand, will rely on Garciano Puerto, Joven Tagudin, Justine Dacalos, Filvenson Culango, Joseph Mayol, Clint Suelto, Peter Codilla, John Jabello and Gileant Delator as they try to break the 2-3 tie that binds them with the Warriors.

In the juniors play, the Magis Eagles aim to regain the solo lead they currently share with the Don Bosco Greywolves and the UC Junior Webmasters on identical 4-1 slates.

After suffering their first defeat at the hands of their finals nemesis Junior Webmasters last August 16, 55-62, the Magis Eagles bounced back with the mightiest of their force, crushing the USC Baby Warriors, 74-27, before sending the previously unbeaten Don Bosco back to earth in a 73-48 blowout of the Greywolves.

Sweeping their last two games by a margin of 36 points is something that would send shivers down the spine of the CEC Dragons, who are currently sporting a 3-2 win-loss card.

As they try to sustain their momentum, the Magis Eagles can count on the likes of Jed Colonia, Eroll Pastor, Andrew Velasco, Travis Mantua, Alex Visser, Christian Manaytay, Justin Javelosa, Patrick Yu, Benedict Andrei Chua and Koko Tuadles.

The Dragons, for their part, pin their hopes on James Tempra, Ralph Gonzaga, Melino Casio, Jarvey Sanchez, Kaise Malapat, Vhann Baruc,  Jwess Gabutero, John Galarse, Jefferson Guillemer and John Canoy among others. (FREEMAN)