SAINT Louis University-Magnolia humbled Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel Montessori-Burlington, 109-87, to keep its hope alive for the second seed in the National Basketball Training Center Developmental League Inter-City Tournament.
Magnolia used a strong first quarter to break the game wide open anchored on a 15-4 run in the first five minutes of the first period despite the lack of players in its bench.
Jan Paolo Cacho led the first quarter rally scoring 23 points in the first period alone.
He drew support from Gween Carlejo, who added 10 points, as the Navy Base squad cruised to a 40-17 advantage at the close of the first period.
Burlingtons' Michael Bacalla solely carried the game for the Camdas-based dribblers with 12 points in the first period in the 18 and under tournament.
Magnolia slowed down on scoring after it was only limited to 19 points in the second period with Burlington also scoring 19 points in the second quarter with Carlo Mitre and Ian Seña firing nine and six points apiece for the latter.
John Paul Berad carried the torched for Magnolia with his eight points at the close of the first half leading by 23 points, 59-36.
Magnolia continued to play its offense fluidly led by Ralph Bestre scoring 11 points while Karlo Badenas added nine points as SLU remained on top at the close of the third period, 84-59.
OLMCM-Burlington's woes in the offensive end continued as SLU-Magnolia maintained the lead at the close of the fourth period. By this time, all players in the Magnolia line-up who played scored in the ball game.
Cacho led SLU-Magnolia with his 25 point production, Carlejo chipped in 13.
Lynel Van Bareng, Bestre and Berad added 12, 11 and points each for SLU.
OLMCM-Burlington was led by Bacalla's 22 points while Mitre added 16 and Seña had 15.
Baguio City National High School B-Meg is currently at the number two position in the Baguio leg of the NBTC where SLU-Magnolia lost in their first encounter while the University of Baguio-Victory Liner remained atop the leader board with no loss.
Games resume this coming Saturday at the CCDC gymnasium featuring the game between B-Meg against Magnolia at 1 pm, while league leading Victory Liner-UB squares off against Mt Carmel-Burlington at 3 p.m.