Sunday, November 18, 2007 SHS-J splits first two matches in Milo Best National Finals
THE Sacred Heart School Jesuits Eagles split their assignments in the first day of the Milo Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training national finals yesterday in Iloilo City.
The Eagles sailed through their first task and defeated St. John School Pangasinan, 65-42, but blundered their second game and bowed to defending champion Ateneo de Davao, 51-43.
Because of this, the Eagles, which had an unbeaten run in the regional finals, need to win against Ateneo de Manila today to keep their championship bid alive.
If they lose to Ateneo de Manila, they will be tied with Davao and will have to settle for the battle for third.
If they win against Manila, the Eagles will be in a triple tie with Manila and St. John.
Qoutient
“If it is a triple tie, when we calculate for the quotient, Cebu will possibly advance to the championship against Manila because of their high-scoring first game,” Milo Best Cebu franchise holder Mar Cabahug said.
In their first game, Sacred Heart leaned on the early scoring splurge of Aaron Sing to nail its first victory. Sing scored eight of his 10 points in the first period to lead the team to a 19-8 run.
Instead of recovering, St. John continued to slide as it only managed to score four points in the second period, while SHS-J’s main protagonist, Adrian Muller, was in control and scored all of his eight points in the quarter.
In the third, it was Patrick Go and Cebu elimination leg MVP Ray Daniel Abbu’s turn to take the limelight. Go and Abbu paced this period as they combined for 12 points.
The Eagles were already pulling away for good and already led 54-18 and merely toyed with St. John in the final period. They allowed their opponents to score 22, but with the lead they built up, it was impossible for St. John to snatch the win.
Unfortunately, it seems SHS-J’s energy was exhausted in their first game and they had very little left in their loss to the defending champion. (MCB)
