THE ST. JOHN’S Institute defeated the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles, 65-46, in the opening game of the Cebu-Bacolod Goodwill Games yesterday at the SHS-AdC basketball court in Canduman, Mandaue City.
SJI utilized a frenetic full-court pressure defense to rattle the Magis Eagles and it worked early on as they ended the first period incredibly on top by 34 points, 34-0. The lead was padded to 43-14 at halftime and 59-24 after three periods.
Eman Go led the visitors with 14 points as Jarred Tajonera and Frances de Asis combined for 20. Jed Colonia led SHS-AdC with 16.
In the other game, the Cebu Eastern College Dragons almost lost control of what appeared to be a won game but hung on to defeat fellow Cebu squad University of San Carlos, 55-54.
The Dragons were up by 12, 20-8, at the end of the first period and even established a 31-16 lead at the turn. However, the tides changed in the third period as the Baby Warriors rallied to take the lead, 41-36.
CEC regained its composure behind Denzel Sabroso’s 10 points in the payoff period that allowed the Dragons to take the lead for good, 55-50, with 1:40 left. Sabroso finished with a game-high 28 markers./Correspondent Jonas Panerio