Tuesday, November 11, 2008 Eagles win Milo Best title
THE Sacred Heart School Jesuit finally nailed the regional title of the Milo Basketbal Efficiency and Scientific Training (Best) after outlasting the Ateneo de Iloilo, 72-66, last Sunday night at the West Negros University Gym.
SHSJ overcame the endgame rally of Ateneo de Iloilo to win the Visayas title and to advance to the national finals later this month in Iloilo City.
After a strong start, SHSJ, which was leading, 58-51 in the final period, got surprised when Ateneo dropped an 11-4 bomb that finally put the teams in a 62-all deadlock.
Ateneo also wrested the lead away from the Eagles, 64-62 with just a little over three minutes left in the game.
The Cebuanos silenced their opponents with a 6-0 run courtesy of Borgy dela Cruz and Jerry Jan Seno to put SHSJ back on top, 70-66 with less than a minute to play.
In a desperate attempt, Ateneo fired a bungled three pointer, before Adrian Muller scored thanks to a nifty drop pass from a slashing Nazareno to score the final tally.
“This is a very sweet championship after last year’s experience. The boys didn’t panic when Ateneo rallied and we kept our composure until the very end. I’m very proud of what they achieved,” SHSJ Coach Rommel Rasmo.
Seno and Nazareno had 12 points apiece to lead a balanced SHJS attack. De la Cruz added 10.
SHSJ will represent the Visayas in the national finals on Nov. 21-22 in Iloilo City.
The University of San Carlos North Campus (USC NC), Cebu’s representative in the SBP division took third place after defeating Filamer Christian College of Roxas, 72-21. (MCB)
