NU, Chiang Kai Shek through to Seaoil NBTC quarterfinals; Hope Christian ousted

NU Bullpups are in the Seaoil NBTC q'finals

 by rick olivares

National University chalked up its second consecutive win in the Seaoil National Basketball Training Center League with a 87-70 win over St. Francis of Assisi (Cavite) at the Ynares Center in Pasig City last Friday.

The Bullpups seized the momentum in the second period and never stepped off the gas pedal. This time they got the job by powering the ball inside to John Paul Cauilan who scored a game high 29 points. St. Francis’ Karl Abarte led his team with 21 points.

NU’s win sent them through the knockout quarterfinal round.

In other matches, Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School (of Cagayan De Oro) nipped Southern City College (of Zamboanga), 82-80. Sacred Heart’s Jerome Menaling and Glenn Gallardo scored the last five points to lead their team in a thrilling come-from-behind victory.

The Iloilo Central Commercial Red Phoenix thrashed the University of San Carlos Warriors (of Cebu) 73-57. Ralph Penuela scored 17 points with JP Calvo and Joshua Edjan adding 16 points each to lead the Red Phoenix while Juneau Antigua scored 11 and Scott Aying 10 for the Warriors. ICC posted a 21-point lead before USC came roaring back to cut the lead down to 10. But the Illongos held firm and posted another 20-point lead to take the fight out of the Cebuanos.

Cebu coach Britt Reroma wasn’t too disappointed in his charges’ opening loss in the tournament. “This is our team’s first time to play in Manila unlike Sacred Heart School that has been coming to this tournament for the past four years. But no excuses. We can only get better. It’s a learning experience.”

The experience that Reroma spoke of came to fore as Sacred Heart School blew out a tired St. Francis of Assisi that was playing its second hard match in six hours. The Magis Eagles held St. Francis scoreless in the first eight minutes and 40 seconds of the match while putting up 25 points of their own. The first quarter ended 29-6 in favor of SHS. The Magis Eagles put up the most lopsided score of the tournament so far, 91-47.

Chiang Kai Shek College also won its second match by scraping past National University-B 75-71 and advanced to the quarterfinals.

Hope Christian High School, one of the bets to compete for the Seaoil NBTC Division One title, was knocked out by NU-Team B, 84-83.