CEBU, Philippines – The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles will try to reaffirm their mastery over the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers, this time on a higher level as they clash in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series in the juniors division of the 14th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Incorporated men's basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
Before they take on each other at 6:45 p.m., the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation will figure in knockout match for third place.
The top-seeded Magis Eagles are 2-0 against the Baby Lancers this season. After a close 74-71 decision during their first meeting last August 19, the Ateneans showed complete dominance over the Visayanians, 74-57, in their semifinal encounter.
The two sides have been at odds against each other since they clashed in the finals for two consecutive seasons. The Baby Lancers drew first blood against the Magis Eagles, winning the title in come-from-behind fashion in 2011. The following year, however, the Magis Eagles did not only vanquish the Baby Lancers, but also delivered a historic first ever championship of SHS-Ateneo with an undefeated 14-0 record.
As they head to their highly-anticipated rematch, the Magis Eagles will depend heavily on the likes of Janjan Jaboneta, Joshua Sinclair, Jose Piero Dominic Longa, Zachacy Lance Eden Huang and Nino Araw-araw, while the Baby Lancers will bank on their equaly-solid starting unit composed of John Carl Escalona, Orlan Wamar, Raul "Jancork" Cabahug, Samuel Schaub and Theo Joshua Flores.
Meanwhile, the best-of-five seniors division finale pitting the Southwestern University Cobras and the University of San Carlos Warriors will start on October 13 yet. It will be spiced up by elimination games of the PCCL (Philippine Collegiate Champions League) where the Warriors and the Cobras are already assured of a spot in the Sweet 16. (FREEMAN)