SHS-AdC beats USC to create semifinal logjam at first place

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

5 p.m. – SWU vs. USJ-R (Srs.)

6:45 p.m. – UV vs. USC (Srs.)

The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles got gritty performances from the frontcourt duo of Arnie Padilla and Jan Jaboneta to hack out a 51-45 win over the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors at the start of the second round of the semifinals in the juniors division of the 13th Cesafi basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The win allowed the Eagles to gain a tie of the top spot after erstwhile leader Cebu Eastern College (CEC) suffered its first defeat of this round, 59-79, at the hands of the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers.

Both SHS-AdC and CEC now hold similar 3-1 (win-loss) records while UV and USC are tied at the bottom with identical 1-3 cards.

The top two teams at the end of the semifinals get to advance to the best-of-three championship series.

In spite battling foul trouble all game, Jaboneta paced the squad with 11 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. Padilla, a member of the Philippine under-16 squad, and Jair Igna had nine points each with the former adding 10 boards and two blocked shots to his name.

Jun Manzo, meanwhile, led the Baby Lancers with 26 points.