Games today:
Cebu Coliseum
5 p.m. – SHS-AdC vs. UV (Jrs.)
6:45 p.m. – CEC vs. USC (Jrs.)
The Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons set the tone for the semifinal round in the most surprising fashion as they abruptly ended the 22-game winning streak of the defending champions and rivals Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-ADC) Magis Eagles even as the top seeds in the seniors divisions swept through their opponents with ease in the 13th Cesafi basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
CEC, the 2010 champion, upset the Magis Eagles, 63-62, in a heart-stopping game that was witnessed by several distinguished alumni from both schools, including chief backer Chester C. Cokaliong, the man responsible for breathing life into this once-fledgling basketball program three years ago.
In the other game in the juniors division, the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors survived the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, 83-81, as Clint Suelto had a stellar game with 18 points, including a fearless lay-up with just seconds remaining that sealed the win for the Britt Reroma-mentored squad.
Suelto added three rebounds, four assists and two steals.
In the seniors division, defending champions Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras routed the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 66-53, while last year’s runner-up UV Lancers blasted the USC Warriors, 83-68.
African import Landry Sanjo once again lorded over his smaller defenders and poured in 18 points on top of 15 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals. Flashy court general Mark Jayven Tallo added 12 points, five dimes and two steals.
However, the story of the day belonged to the Dragons, who had to come back from a 5-18 hole after the first period before coming through in the clutch to pull off the gigantic upset.
The Eagles last held the lead at 62-61 after Popoy Navarro canned a midrange jumper with 25 seconds left.
Mark Roa finished with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds while Alfonso Alviso had 16 points.