Ateneo de Cebu, SLC-C begin campaign in NBTC National High School Championships
The day of reckoning has come for the seven-time National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Cebu champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles as they kick off their campaign in the National High School Championship with a pair of games today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The one-time national champions start the hostilities with a match against the AusPinoy One Solutions at 11:30 a.m. They will finish the day with a game against nemesis, San Beda Red Cubs at 7 p.m.
Cebu’s Division 2 representatives, St. Louis College-Cebu Cardinals, will also begin their bid today as they face off against St. Jude this morning before battling St. Joseph in the afternoon.
The Mandaue City-based Cardinals complete their elimination round schedule with a match versus Notre Dame tomorrow.
The Magis Eagles have an axe to grind against the Red Cubs, which ousted them from the semifinals of this tournament last year. Ironically, one of San Beda’s best weapons happens to be a Cebuano in former University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) standout Ain Obenza.
Magis Eagles head coach Francis Auquico said his team is in fine form heading to this prestigious tournament.
“We’re ready. We’ve been preparing for several weeks already,” he said.
He said the key to their success in this tournament will be the trust they built with one another.
“Tiwala lang sila sa isa’t-isa so that we can compete well in this competition,” said the soft-spoken mentor.
Tomorrow, the Magis Eagles will complete their elimination round stint with a game against the FilAm Sports USA, which will feature the Fil-American Ronald Harper Jr., who is the son of former NBA champion Ron Harper.