The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles kicked off their title-retention campaign in style as they ripped the University of Cebu-Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) apart, 87-67, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) Season 22 high school basketball tournament on Thursday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The writing was on the wall early on as the Magis Eagles surged in front by 21, 27-6, in the first period. Although UCLM valiantly fought to trim the deficit down to a respectable margin late in the first half, Ateneo de Cebu simply had too much firepower and did not let off the gas pedal until the final buzzer.
Gilas Youth standout Jared Bahay showed he is in a class of his own as he had 20 points for Ateneo de Cebu, including consecutive trifectas that quelled a potential UCLM uprising.
Michael Asoro added 17 markers, while Alden Cainglet fired in 13.
UCLM got 17 points from Hanz Candido. However, nobody else scored in double-figures for UCLM.