After a heart-stopping opener on Sunday, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu had a much more relaxing day yesterday as they cruised past the Southern City College from Zamboanga, 99-38, to sweep Group D in the SM NBTC National High School Championship yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay.
The victory was the Cebu team’s second in a row, placing them in the semifinals tomorrow where they will face off against the same team they beat for the national crown last year – the mighty San Beda Red Cubs.
While the Magis Eagles barely scraped past Traill Institute from Thailand, 76-72, during their opening game, the result against the representatives from Zamboanga was hardly in doubt as the reigning Cesafi champions built a 23-7 lead after the first 10 minutes of action behind the sizzling shooting of Eroll Pastor, Andrew Velasco and Jed Colonia who combined for 16 during that stretch.
From there, the lead ballooned to 50-19 at halftime before veteran guard Jeremy Nacua put on a shooting display in the second half where he scored all 18 of his points, all coming from beyond the three-point arc. Velasco finished with 16, Justin Javelosa added 12 while Pastor chipped in 10.
The 61-point margin of victory bettered the 50-point battering of UAAP champions National University that demolished Tay Tung High School of Bacolod, 88-38, also on Sunday evening.
“We know that San Beda is very good and we have a younger team,” said Ateneo coach Francis Auquico. “The plan was to give our other players who didn’t play much against Thailand Traill International School last Sunday so they will develop some confidence. We have no doubt that San Beda will play their best and we have to prepare the boys well.”
In the other Division 1 semifinals match, Chiang Kai Shek College featuring up-and-coming Cebuano star John Galinato, will play current UAAP champions NU also this Wednesday.
TITANS LOSE
In Division 2, the PAREF Springdale Titans got blitzed in the fourth period and were beaten by the Castillejos National High School, 47-53, in their campaign-opening match late Sunday evening.
Joseph Sainz led the Titans with 14 points and seven rebounds. However, he was the lone player to reach double figures for the team of head coach Jabby Bautista.
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