The San Beda Red Cubs waited a whole year to get their revenge.
Whether or not the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles will allow them to get it though will be known today in an explosive match-up in the semifinals of the SM NBTC National High School Championship over at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Magis Eagles shocked the mighty Red Cubs in the championship game last year to win the national diadem and earn the right to be called the best high school basketball team in the land.
Now, with a new crew led by the likes of Errol Pastor and Cesafi MVP Jed Colonia, the Magis Eagles will try for a repeat albeit against a much-tougher and more experienced San Beda squad.
“The team that we will be facing will be more dangerous and more skilled than the one we faced last year. This team is the Team B squad that played in the tournament last year. Now, they have more experience, their bodies have matured so this will be a much tougher game,” said Rommel Rasmo, Ateneo de Cebu’s head coach who has delegated the coaching duties to assistant Francis Auquico due to his position as NBTC regional commissioner.
“The game plan remains the same and it is to play our game, play our system. If we do that, then we have a better chance of winning. It would also help if we could attack them inside to get their bigger guys into foul trouble. I’m also hoping that our outside shooting will be there. Jeremy (Nacua) and Patrick (Yu), those guys I’ll be encouraging to shoot more,” he added.
Ateneo De Cebu squeaked past Traill International School of Thailand, 76-72, and then crushed Southern City Colleges of Zamboanga, 99-38, while San Beda whipped Lyceum of the Philippines University of Cavite, 82-51, and thrashed Assumption College of Davao, 104-52, to arrange the semis duel.
In the other semis game, Chiang Kai Shek, national champions two years ago, battles with UAAP Juniors Champion, National University.
The fifth SM-NBTC All-Star Game will also be played today with the Division II All-Star match played at 4:30 p.m.
The guest coaches will be the Ateneo Blue Eagles duo of Kiefer Ravena and Von Pessumal for one team while the long-time FEU tandem of Mike Tolomia and Russel Escoto will mind the bench for the other squad.
Named to Team 2 are PAREF Springdale’s Jaime Sainz and Giles Benedicto.
The Division I All-Star Game will be played at 6:30 p.m. and will be overseen by coaches Jeff Napa of UAAP Juniors Champion, NU, and JB Sison of San Beda.
Cebuanos playing in the match are Jancork Cabahug from the University of the Visayas, Ateneo de Cebu’s Colonia and John Galinato, the former University of San Carlos stalwart who is now suiting up for Chiang Kai Shek.