The Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Baby Dragons showed no signs of slowing down in their title defense, delivering a commanding performance against the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Baby Wildcats. The defending champions secured a decisive 83-53 victory in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) 12-under basketball tournament on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the USC main gym.
Second-Half Surge Seals Dominant Win
Despite a somewhat slow start, the Baby Dragons, under the guidance of coach Mark Anthony Tallo, found their rhythm after halftime. They broke the game open in the second half, establishing a 16-point lead at 31-15. The team's relentless pressure continued, and they managed to widen the gap to a staggering 38 points, 67-29, on their way to another convincing win. This result solidifies their position at the summit of the team standings with a pristine 3-0 win-loss record.
Key Performers for the Victorious Dragons
Perseus Kallyx Berame emerged as the top scorer for CEC, pouring in 16 points to lead the charge. He received solid support from Francis Jeevan Macalisang, who added 13 points to the tally. The scoring was well-distributed, with Shariff Jhalil Samad and Kein Jazer Ricafort each contributing 10 points to the dominant team effort.
Other Cesafi 12-Under Tournament Results
The day featured a double-header of youth basketball action. In the earlier game, the San Carlos School of Cebu (SCSC) Baby Warriors overpowered the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguar Cubs, 53-31. The Warriors were propelled by a standout performance from Nicolai Cabañero, younger brother of UAAP scoring champion Nicael Cabañero, who exploded for 21 points, 13 of which came in the first half. This victory brought SCSC's record to 2-1, while USJ-R fell to 1-2.
In the main event, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles delivered a strong showing, mauling the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) Greywolves, 67-40. The win improved the Magis Eagles' slate to 2-1, while DBTC continued to search for their first victory, remaining winless in three outings.
Standings and Looking Ahead
With this loss, the CIT-U Baby Wildcats, who were led by Reignlier France Naraja (11 points) and Kentrick Khor (10 points), saw their record dip to 1-2. The CEC Baby Dragons have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in the early goings of the Cesafi 12-under tournament. Their perfect start and potent offense make them a formidable contender as they aim to keep their championship crown.
