‘Magis’ coach Rasmo delivers UP Cebu’s historic first win | The Freeman

CEBU, Philippines — He has already etched his name in stone for guiding the Sacred Heart Heart-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) to the school's first ever championship in Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball way back in 2012, and steering the Magis Eagles to a rare grandslam feat from 2014 to 2016.

Just recently, coach Rommel Rasmo made another history.

This time with another team, and in the college division.

The decorated bench tactician did it after delivering the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons' breakthrough win in CESAFI cage wars via a close 53-50 decision over the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras last Sunday, October 15, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Rasmo and his troops trailed by four after three quarters, 36-40, but staged a daring fightback in the windup to turn things around in their favor and snap out of their four-game jinx.

Thanks to the endgame brilliance of Harvey Caño, who dropped eight of his game-high 18 points in the final period where the Fighting Maroons outpointed and outhustled the Cobras, 17-10, to clinch the historic triumph.

"It was a good win for us and we are all happy for our first historic win," said Rasmo, one of the most winningest coaches in the annals of CESAFI with six crowns under his belt with the Magis Eagles.

"We will continue to work on our development as a team because I believe that my players could play better as they keep on improving. We are grateful for the support of the UP community most especially to our beloved chancellor Atty. Leo Malagar," added Rasmo, who is also the chief strategist of reigning juniors titlist Magis Eagles.

In the other game, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats barged into the win column with an 83-71 trouncing of the Felipe R. Verallo Foundation College (FRVFC) Blue Dragons.

John Rey Guinita exploded for 26 points while Edwin Charles Jao and Jim Brent Taala banged in 14 and 12 markers, respectively, as the Wildcats ended their three-game slump.

In the juniors level, the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Blue Dragons trounced the CIT-U Baby Wildcats, 65-44, to grab the solo third spot with a 4-1 record while the University of San