DRANHS wins semis showdown with DCNHS

THE Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DRANHS) and the Do¤a Carmen Denia National High School (DCDNHS) arranged a titular showdown after defeating their respective rivals in the semifinals of the Mayor Inday Sara Vice Mayor Rody Duterte 2nd Liga Dabaw Inter-Public High School Basketball Tournament held at the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) Matina Campus Sports Complex.

The Ronnie Berato-mentored DRANHS dominated the Davao City National High School (DCNHS), 73-57, to clinch a finals slot. Aaron Suson sparked DRANHS with 19 points while teammates Alfred Omega and Kenneth Jay Rizane added 17 and 16, respectively.

Berato said they nearly lost the lead in the fourth quarter. When asked about his thoughts on their upcoming championship, Berato said they will see a tough competition against DCDNHS since the latter will field bigger players.

"Although they are bigger, I think we still have the speed advantage. That is why we need to control the rebounds so that we could implement a run-and-gun style of play," Berato said.

The Ramil Magunot-coached DCDNHS, meanwhile, routed the Sta. Ana National High School (SANHS), 98-79. John Michael Darato and Ronnie James Solomon scored identical 24 points to lead DCDNHS. James Linares fell short in lifting SANHS to the finals despite pouring in 29 points.

The finals of the tournament organized by Liga Dabaw are set next Sunday at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.

The battle for third place between DCNHS and SANHS, meanwhile, will also get underway next Sunday.

The event is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) under Mindanao Region B director Regino “Boy” Cua.