Ateneo cruises to 2-0; UV bounces back

Sports

THE five-time defending champions Ateneo de Cebu-Sacred Heart School Magis Eagles nailed a 59-42 win over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers to stay unbeaten in the CESAFI Season 26 secondary basketball tournament on Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Ateneo raced to a 10-0 start, setting the stage for the double-digit win that hiked its record to 2-0 (win-loss) and joined the idle University of Cebu-Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue Baby Webmasters at second place.

The University of San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars lead the race with a 3-0 slate.

The Baby Panthers actually recovered from the slow start and managed to take the lead but the Magis Eagles staged another major run and went on to post leads as big as 19 points.

Gabriel Gonzales, Lian Kent Basa, and Tan Jibson Gaviola delivered the goods for Ateneo. Gonzales piled up 13 points and six rebounds, Basa produced 11 points and seven rebounds, while Gaviola put up 10 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, an assist, and a steal.

Jayhad Aguipo scored 10 points for the Baby Panthers, who stayed winless after two games.

Meanwhile, the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Green Lancers avoided a second straight loss after downing the San Carlos School of Cebu Baby Warriors, 85-67.

Aljun Luchavez, Darlico Kuno Gantuangco, and Kirbey Borbon combined for 46 points to help UV bounce back from a 56-61 loss to the Magis Eagles.

Ahron Andrei Casul fired a game-high 21 points and Heath Launre Macapil had 11 points for the Baby Warriors, which tasted its second defeat against a single win.(CCM)