The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles showed they are one of the best junior squads in the country as they defeated two time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champion De La Salle Zobel Santiago School Junior Green Archers, 69-78, in the Cebu Elite Basketball League’s 2013 Friendship Cup at the University of San Carlos (USC)-North Campus Gymnasium last Monday.
Small forward Arnie Padilla led the Magis Eagles with 20 markers while Jair Igna added 19 and John-john Jabonita contributed 16 as SHS-AdC remained unbeaten in this tournament.
Pressure defense and consistent scoring was the Magis Eagles’ key to victory against the heavily favored Junior Green Archers.
Although the they were not able to neutralize Junior Green Archers’ Renzo Subido, who finished with 21 points, the Magis Eagles forced the visiting team to commit numerous turnovers to grab an early 11-point lead after the first period.
Subido tried to keep the Junior Archers within striking distance but SHS-AdC’s Popoy Navarro did a decent job in limiting the National U16 team member’s production in the second half.
Meanwhile, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers defeated host team USC Baby Warriors, 67-64, in the other game.
The Baby Lancers logged the win despite missing the services of Ralph Dinolan in the latter stages of the game. Dinolan single handedly carried the team with 14 points in the first half but was not able to continue suffering from muscle cramps due to exhaustion. He still finished with 22.
Clint Suelto had 19 points on a losing effort while Paul Galinato and Scott Aying had 10 each.
Earlier in the day, the Baby Lancers disposed the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars, 86-71, in the first game.