THE SEVEN-TIME National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Cebu champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles are in for a tough going at the National High School Championship as they have been grouped with a team from Canada, a squad from New Zealand and the NCAA champions, Mapua Red Robins.
According to a source with reliable knowledge of the schedule for the much-anticipated tournament on March 13 to 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the Andrew Velasco-led Magis Eagles will kick off their campaign on Monday with a match against Camp David New Zealand, which consists of Fil-New Zealanders led by Taine Davis and Miggy Falqueza, who are part of the U16 FIBA New Zealand trialist pool.
Then, a two-game slate awaits them on Tuesday with Durham Crossover Canada and the Red Robins, which shocked powerhouse San Beda Red Cubs in the NCAA’s Season 92 finals last year and ended the latter’s seven-year title reign.
Waiting for Ateneo de Cebu from the Red Robins side are the likes of Sherwin Concepcion, Mike Enriquez, 6-foot-4 center Warren Bonifacio and Finals MVP, Bryan Samudio.
The Magis Eagles, on the other hand, will be leaning on Velasco, the Cebu tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, along with Errol Pastor, Travis Mantua, Jeremy Nacua and big men Alex Visser and Christian Manaytay.
Last year, Ateneo de Cebu made it all the way to the semis but got eliminated by the Red Cubs in the semifinals.