SHS-Ateneo in NBTC semifinals

PASIG CITY, Philippines — Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) crushed Assumption School of Davao, 100-36, to barge into the semifinals of the Seaoil NBTC Elite League 2014 National Finals at the Ynares Center.

Riding on the momentum of their 91-47 win over St. Francis of Asisi in their must-win elimination round game, the Magis Eagles settled the outcome early and never gave the Davao champions a chance to make a comeback.

Anchored on Jair Igna’s three triples and a crippling full-court press, the Cebu champions streaked to a 36-5 lead after one quarter. The Davao side, the top seed out of Group D, couldn’t settle down as the onslaught continued in the second quarter with Arnie Padilla taking over with 10 second period points for a 56-9 lead at halftime.

It was all over but the final score as the Magis Eagles cruised to their second straight win after an opening day loss to UAAP champions National University-A (NU).

Padilla led the team with 19 points. Lucky Ecarma added 12 as AJ Ong and Ridge Mantua scored 10 apiece. All 12 players who saw action scored, with the reserve players given the opportunity to get more playing tucked under their belts as the starters rested.

The Magis Eagles will face NU-A in the semifinals, a rematch of the game won by the Bullpups on Thursday, 80-76. NU-A trounced Zamboanga in the quarterfinals.

The other semifinals match-up has pre-tourney favorite Chiang Kai Shek College going up against Iloilo Central Commercial High School. Chiang Kai Shek turned back University of San Carlos, 76-66, in a game where USC was down by 28 points but still managed to rally in the fourth quarter, only to be snuffed, while ICCHS defeated NU-B in overtime. The semis will thus feature two teams each from the NCR and the Visayas. (FREEMAN)