IF THERE IS ONE SCHOOL that has set the bar high for grassroots basketball dominance, it would be the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.
And the Magis Eagles added even more pomp to their lofty reputation after capturing their fifth straight title in the Passerelle division as they downed the University of the Visayas, 73-45, in the finals of the 2011 Milo-backed BEST Tournament Cebu leg late Friday night at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
UV, which made the finals in just their second year in the division, made the game interesting early as they trailed by just one, 12-13, in spite of the eight points that was scored by Ateneo’s lanky point guard Dave Yu.
The Baby Lancers’ stranglehold started to slacken in the ensuing canto as Jair Igna and Jarek Mercado pushed the Eagles to a 40-31 lead at halftime.
Then, the Eagles blew the lid off the match in the third period as they went on a 15-2 rally that saw contributions from all five players that was fielded in by head coach Rommel Rasmo.
Felix Jaboneta connected for eight points, AJ Ong hit on a jumper and a free-throw and Rendell Senining was his usual exciting self, which helped them establish a 53-28 lead heading to the final canto.
Eventual MVP Dawn Ochea, who was held scoreless for the first three periods, broke away from his chains as he scored all 13 of his points in the final stanza as Ateneo got the lead to a high of 30, 67-37, before cruising to the victory.
Igna added 11 while Jaboneta chipped in 10 as the Magis Eagles now advance to the Visayas regional finals, which will be held in Roxas City on Oct. 22.
Paul Desiderio was the lone bright spot for UV with 14 markers./Correspondent Jonas Panerio