Cebu teams Ateneo de Cebu, UV rout foes at the start of NBTC National Finals
Cebu’s bets University of the Visayas (UV) and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu pulled off convincing victories at the start of their stints in the 2018 SM-NBTC National Finals in Manila on Monday.
The Magis Eagles, last year’s runners up in this tournament featuring the best high school squads in the country, thwarted the University of Assumption San Fernando, 82-36, at the Palm Coast Marina basketball court. UV, the Cebu leg champion, also stamped its class, authoring a 100-73 beatdown of the University of Luzon.
The victory pushed both UV and Ateneo de Cebu to the Sweet 16 round of the tournament.
The former national champions Magis Eagles built on a sizzling start with an even more incredible second period showing to pave the way for the lopsided victory.
After leading, 22-8, after the first, Ateneo de Cebu stepped on the gas pedal some more, outscoring its opponent, 18-3, in the second to build a 40-11 lead at halftime.
All 13 players who were fielded in managed to score at least two points for the eighth-seeded Magis Eagles, but it was left-handed big man Christian Manaytay who led the offensive thrust with 13 points and eight rebounds in just 13 minutes of action.
Travis Mantua and Jeremy Nacua each had nine while Franz Diaz and Benedict Yu chipped in eight apiece.
Next up for the Magis Eagles will be ninth seed, Hope Christian High School, which beat the St. Benilde International School of Calamba, 84-77, behind the 35-point explosion of Harvey Pagsanjan.
Highly touted forward Jancork Cabahug pumped in 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field to go with eight rebounds to lead UV, which next faces off against FilAm Sports-USA that features top prospect Jalen Green.
Green had 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists in his team’s 92-59 beatdown of La Salle-Lipa.
Gab Cometa also stepped up for the Baby Lancers and scored 17 points, making all but one of his nine tries from the floor. Joshua Yerro added 12 points, five boards, two assists and two steals for the Baby Lancers.