SHS-Ateneo opens bid in San Rem Properties invitationals

Defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles will open its title retention bid as they face relatively unknown Western Leyte College Mustangs at the start of the 2nd San Remegio Properties Invitational Basketball Tournament at the Magis Eagles Arena following the short opening ceremony that will start at 5 p.m.

Coach Rommel Rasmo will put to the test his recruits who include Ralf Gesalem, Joshua Fuentebella, Joaquin Quema and Franz Diaz. He wants to see if they could blend into the team, the holdovers of last year's Cesafi champion team that include Christian Manaytay, Alex Visser, Andrew Velasco, Jed Colonia, Patrick Yu, Andrei Chua, Justine Javellosa, Michael Cutamora, Ramon Lapiña, John Benedict Yu and Eric Tuadles.

It could be a walk in the park for the Magis Eagles but they are playing against a collegiate team that demands respect.

Standing at an average of 5'8”, the Mustangs will use quickness and basketball smarts to beat the host squad.

The main game, however, is expected to be a crowd drawer as the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets face a dangerous and crafty collegiate squad Colegio de Santa Ana de Victorias Titans starting at 7 p.m.

Ateneo's twin towers, UAAP Season 79 Rookie of the Year awardee, the 7-foot Kai Sotto and the 6'8” Shaun Geoffrey Chiu will be tested by the Titans African player Junior Essakadoulla who stood 6-foot-6 and the two 6-5 players John Lloyd Licawan and John Valdez,

But aside from Sotto and Chiu, CSAV has to contain Sean Dave Ildefonso (6-3), Sam Josef Belangel (6-0) and Jason Mari Lorenzo Credo (6-3) who were responsible for finishing the Blue Eaglets to an 11-3 win-loss record last year and the second runner-up finish for the season.

The Titans however is also parading the 6-foot-4 Reymart Carano-o and three 6-3s – Josef Yoro, Carl Magbanua and Jeric Adorio in tonight's game.