Ateneo, ACD secure quarterfinals slots

HIGHLY-touted Ateneo de Davao University booked a quarter-finals berth along with Assumption College of Davao (ACD) and Ford Academy of the Arts for topping their respective cadet groups in the resumption of the 3rd Royal Mandaya Cup basketball tournament on Sunday at the Genesis 88 Gym at Ecoland Subdivision, Ecowest Drive in Matina.

Ateneo crushed Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC), 90-55, behind the efforts of Miguel Belen, Edward Blanco, Paulo Coquilla and Francis Gabriel Escandor who chipped in 13, 12, 11 and seven points, respectively. HCDC's Haitam Sedomar and Mark Origenes combined for 31.

The Miguel Solitaria-coached Ateneo grabbed the No. 1 spot in Group B with an unbeaten 2-0, win-loss card. Solitaria's wards hacked out a 72-58 win over Emar Learning Center on Saturday's opener.

In Group A, ACD clobbered University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), 78-43, to take the top spot with a 2-0 mark. Mahloney Tarranza poured in 16 points as teammate Dennis Reyes added 15. Mark Constantino, for his part, topscored for UIC with 14.

The Ford Academy of the Arts also took a 2-0 card after sinking the Agro-Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines (AIFCP), 70-42, in Group C while St. Peter College of Toril (SPCT) drew first blood in Group D by rolling past Stella Maris Academy of Davao (Smad), 59-45, in Group D.

Games will resume this weekend in the cagefest presented by Glenn Escandor of the Royal Mandaya Hotel and sanctioned by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Mindanao Cluster B director Regino "Boy" Cua. (MLSA)