San Beda exacts revenge against Ateneo de Cebu, advances to finals of NBTC tilt
The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles got off to a sluggish start and paid dearly for it as they were dethroned by the San Beda Red Cubs, 75-86, in the semifinals of the SM-NBTC National High School Championship yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Although the valiant young cagers from Cebu fought to trim the deficit down to three in the final period, the Red Cubs were just too hot and got clutch baskets from their old reliables to hack out the victory and book a spot in the finals.
Waiting for them are the National University Bulldogs, who disposed of Chiang Kai Shek in the other Final Four match-up, 72-49. San Beda’s win gave them the revenge they’ve been looking for after losing to the Magis Eagles in the finals of this very same tournament last year.
The finals will be pitting the reigning UAAP rulers, NU, against the long-time NCAA kings, San Beda.
SLOW START
Ateneo de Cebu struggled to get off the gates while San Beda came out firing on all cylinders behind Albert Bordeos and JM Lagumen to take a 28-15 lead after the opening frame.
The boys of head coach JB Sison kept the pressure up and raised the lead to 17, 50-33, at halftime.
After a stern talking-to at halftime, the Magis Eagles came out with renewed focus and took it to the bad boys from the big city behind the play of undersized power forward Eroll Pastor, who muscled his way to 11 points during that stretch and bring Ateneo de Cebu to within eight, 61-69, heading into the final canto.
They crept even closer, 71-74, after a tip-in by undersized forward Mike Cutamora and a three pointer by Renzo Senining with 6:42 to go. But San Beda did not blink and responded with a triple from Ry dela Rosa and a twinner by Sam Abu Hijleh to bring the lead back to 79-71.
Pastor tried to keep the Magis Eagles within striking distance, 73-80, with a tip-in but two free throws by Prince Etrata and a bucket by Evan Nelle pushed the lead back to double figures, 84-73 and eventually out of reach.
Nelle and Abu Hiljeh led the Red Cubs with 16 points each. Pastor led the way for the Magis Eagles with a monster double-double of 22 points and 25 rebounds while Travis Mantua added 14. Andrew Velasco also contributed 13.
However, the team missed the normally stout contributions of Cesafi MVP, Jed Colonia, who struggled to find his shot and finished with just seven points while committing seven turnovers before fouling out late in the match.
Ateneo de Cebu also shot themselves in the foot by committing 28 turnovers and missing 16 free-throws.
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