Magis Eagles upbeat on Palaro title defense

CEBU, Philippines -  After their dominant victory in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles now shift their focus on a bigger task that is defending their secondary basketball title in this year's Palarong Pambansa set this May in Laguna.

The Magis Eagles, representing Mandaue City, defeated the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers-manded Cebu City, 67-57 last week at the Cebu Coliseum to complete a rare grandslam feat that also earned them a ticket to represent Central Visayas in the annual sports conclave for elementary and secondary student-athletes all over the archipelago.

Winning the national championship last year was a memorable one for the Ateneans as they ended the reign of San Sebastian College-manned National Capital Region (NCR).

In front of 5,000-plus fans at the Lamberto Macias Sports Centre in Dumaguete City, SHS-AdC showed that Region VII has what it takes to gain hoops supremacy in a national sporting event of such magnitude by beating the more favored NCR.

This time, SHS-AdC head coach Rommel Rasmo is already preparing for another tough battle, tabbing  NCR and CALABARZON as the biggest threats to their throne.

"Gusto talaga namin makuha ang Palaro last year and we're glad we made it," said Rasmo, who has guided the Magis Eagles into a hardcourt power not only in the local circuit but also on the national stage. "This time, it will be another tough task defending our title."

"Our training never stops as we are competing in various tournaments like the NBTC (National Basketball Training Center) that will surely help the boys prepare for Palaro," added Rasmo.

The Magis Eagles no longer have their star center Henric Dawn Ochea, but Rasmo is not worried at all owing to the presence of their hardworking center/forward Zachary Huang. At 6-foot-2, the defense-oriented Huang is not only an intimidating patrolman at the shaded lane, but is also a potential scorer.

"We have made adjustments after we lost Ochea and Huang will fill the spot. He will be one of our key players most especially in defense," said Rasmo of his prized catch from Cagayan de Oro City.

Huang, himself, is more than ready to rise above the challenge.,

"I am very confident with my team and coach behind me. Together we will work hard to defend our title in Palaro," said the 16-year-old Huang. "We will be ready for the challenge." (FREEMAN)