Cesafi juniors hoop finals starts today

Game today:

Cebu Coliseum

5:30 pm – SHS-AdC vs UV

AS THE OLD adage goes, the third time is always the charm.

The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles will try to prove that such saying is true as they aim to claim their first title in the juniors division on their third try when they face off against rivals and the defending champions University of the Visayas Baby Lancers in Game 1 of the best-of-five finals series in the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. boys basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Magis Eagles have made the finals in each of the last three years. However, their past two trips have so far ended in heartbreak, first getting swept by the Cebu Eastern College Dragons in 2010 before getting edged by UV last year in five games, in a series they led, 2-1.

They try to erase all the bitterness of those losses, starting today, where they hope to start strong against an opponent they have dominated all-season long.  The Eagles have gotten the number of the Baby Lancers this season, first beating them 97-82, in the elimination round before prevailing once again, 96-81, in the semifinal round.

Hoping to lead the Eagles to the promised land is the exciting duo of skilled big man Dawn Ochea and prolific point guard Arc Gabrielle Araw-Araw, who has shown that his time playing on the San Beda Red Cubs squad in Manila this past year has not gone to waste. Also there to lend a hand are Miguel Competente and Jair Igna./Correspondent Jonas Panerio