Ateneo de Cebu downs University of the Visayas in Game 3 of Cesafi juniors finals

The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles moved closer towards the Cesafi juniors title as they outlasted the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, 73-69, in Game 3 of the best-of-five finals series yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The victory gave the Magis Eagles a pivotal 2-1 series lead. They look to end it all tomorrow in Game 4.

More importanty, SHS-AdC is a breath away from totally erasing the memory of the sweep that it suffered in the finals last year against the Cebu Eastern College Dragons.

All this though would not have happened if not for the heroics of Jair “The Igniter” Igna, who fired all 15 of his points in the final period.

The Eagles led by as many as 10 points in the third period but once again crumbled in the face of UV’s tough defense, which fueled a 17-4 run that put the Baby Lancers ahead, 49-46.

Paul Desiderio, Ron Dennison, Dexter Lucero and Reeve Ugsang all contributed in that sizzling stretch.

Igna scored eight straight points on two three-pointers and two freethrows that put his team in front, 61-55, with 4:46 left.

Nelson Peralta tied the count at 65-all with a long trey with 2:04 left. Dawn Ochea gave the lead back to Ateneo with a freethrow and then Igna scored on a gritty baseline drive for a 69-65 score.

After a Desiderio free-throw, Henry Asilum bungled an entry pass to give possession back to UV with 25.4 seconds remaining.

Lucero made a bonehead play as he hurried a three-point attempt that barely grazed the rim.

Ateneo gained possession and off that, scored a free-throw by Ochea. UV was not done yet as Dennison made a straightaway three-pointer that sliced the deficit down to one, 69-70, with 9.3 seconds left. But Igna had the last laugh as he went coast-to-coast and scored a layup while getting fouled by Peralta with 2.3 seconds left. He later nailed the free-throw to seal the win.

Ochea led the Eagles with 17 while Igna and Asilum each had 15.