SHS -Ateneo, CSAV win openers

CEBU, Philippines - Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (CSAV) scored close wins on opening day of the San Remigio Properties Invitational Basketball Tournament last Thursday night at the Magis Eagles Arena of SHS-Ateneo de Cebu in Mandaue City.

SHS-Ateneo scraped past Western Leyte College of Ormoc, 74-71, while CSAV rallied to outlast the Ateneo de Manila High School Blue Eaglets, 89-82.

 It was a nip and tuck affair from start to end with neither the Magis Eagles or Mustangs enjoying a lead of more than seven points. The Magis Eagles seemed to have taken control of the game, building a 64-57 lead in the fourth quarter, but WLC countered to take a 70-65 lead. The hosts regained the lead at 71-70 before WLC skipper Noel Mascariñas tied the game anew at 71-all with 2:09 left in the game.

 Patrick Yu, whose father and grandfather both played college basketball in Cebu, then drilled a clutch triple with 1:40 left in the game for the final tally. Neither side scored after that.

Yu had an all-around game with 13 points, ten rebounds and nine assists. Christian Manaytay had 12 points and 11 rebounds. JJ  Yu and Andrew Velasco had 11 points each. Billy Jun Malinao led WLC with 31 points, spiked by seven three-point shots, while Carmelo Jose Sano added 13.

 In the other game, Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias displayed poise and maturity as they overcame a double-digit deficit to stop the Blue Eaglets.

Down by twelve at halftime, 33-45, the Titans clawed their way back into the game with a big third quarter, slashing the lead to 65-67 at the end of the third quarter and kicking off the fourth quarter with a 5-0 run for a 72-67 lead.

ADMU’s Dave Ildefonso, Kai Sotto and Rap Escalona combined to slice the lead to only two, 80-82, but Jeffrey Manday made a shot-clock beating corner triple (his ninth for the night) against two defenders, to douse the rally with two minutes left in the game. Manday had a whopping 39 points to lead CSAV, while import Junior Essakadoulla added 10. Ildefonso led Ateneo with 23 points, while SJ Belangel and Sotto had 14 and 13 points, respectively. All eyes were on the 15-year-old 7-footer Sotto who impressed the crowd as he also collared 14 rebounds and had four blocks.

 The San Remigio Properties Invitational Basketball Tournament is a pocket tournament serving as a pre-season preparation for all teams. The tournament follows a single-round robin classification round with the top two teams playing for the championship. San Remigio Properties General Manager Mark Ynoc gave the inspirational message at the opening ceremony while SHS-Ateneo President Fr. Manny Uy, SJ gave the welcome message. Games will run until Sunday. (FREEMAN)