REDEMPTION remains on the menu for the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles as they plunge into the action in the Passerelle division of the national finals of the 2011 Milo-backed BEST Twin Tournament over at the Xavier School gym in San Juan City.
The Magis Eagles will try to let the bitter memories of their Game 5 loss to the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers in the recently concluded Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. juniors division finals fade away as they focus on retaining the Milo title.
SHS-AdC was on the edge of capturing its first-ever title in the Cesafi but collapsed in the final canto of that game against UV and wound up losing, 80-85.
It was a loss that resounded deep in the hearts and minds of the players and their faithful but for intents and purposes, the Magis Eagles appear ready for a repeat of the title win that they achieved on their home floor last year.
The Milo competition is expected to be fierce with the homecourt-toting Xavier School posing the biggest threat with their star player Jarrell Lim. Also there to contend for the crown are Guagua National Colleges of Pampanga and Holy Child School.
Five players from the core group of the juniors team will be suiting up for the Eagles led by Mythical Five member, Dawn Ochea, Jair Igna, Dave Yu, Bro Catan and Miguel Competente. The rest of the team is composed of Laeil Medalle, Jarek Mercado, Popoy Navarro, Rendell Senining, Arnie Padilla, Kyle Cabarrubias, Gerard Mendoza, AJ Ong, Jacob Lee and Janjan Jaboneta.
The Magis Eagles though are missing several kep players from last year’s championship-clinching team. These include Rev Diputado, Reggie Abbu and Arc Gabrielle Araw-Araw, who are all now with the San Beda Red Cubs. Correspondent Jonas Panerio