RIVALS Assumption Montessori School of Balulang and Southern Philippine College arranged another title showdown anew for the Chooks-To-Go SM National Basketball Training Center-Cagayan de Oro leg after disposing of their separate semifinal foes on Saturday night at the Nazareth gym, Cagayan de Oro City.
The AMS Jaguars of coach James Racines leaned on their outside shots to turn back the Sacred Heart of coach Edgardo ‘Boy’ Dacoco, 95-55 to face last year’s tormentor SPC Sharks of coach Reynolds Dangcal in the final.
The Sharks earlier devoured the Cagayan de Oro City High School Tigers of coach Bismark Labadan, 80-65.
Jr. Rivera pumped in 18 points for the AMS Jaguars and leaned on the double digit productions of Alec Lenoso, Ricky Ayudtud, Angelo Mercado, and Kent Gelogo to ensure a return match with the Sharks for the title.
The Jaguars lost to the Sharks last year after winning the Oro NBTC titles for three years in a row in 2015-17. They also were the three time regional champions and one time National Champions.
The Sharks leaned on their cat-quick pointguard Earl Laniton and sweet-shooting John Parista to pull away starting in the second quarter after leading only by one point 19-18 in the first quarter.
The winner of the championship match will advance to the NBTC Regional Championship in Surigao City on Jan. 30-Feb. 2 next year.
The scores:
Assumption Montessori School (95) - Rivera Jr. 18, Lenoso 14, Ayudtud 14, Mercado 12, Gelogo 10, Macura 10, Halina 7, Antigua 7, Idnay 4,Usman 2, Perocho 2, Neri 2 Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School (55) Galagar 12, Dajuya 8, Sollano 8, Roa 4, Yabo 4, Bajoy 3, Jalop 3, Tion 3, Calit 2, Gamo 2 Quarter scores- 33-13; 51-29; 78-54; 95-55.
Southern Philippine College (80) - Buniao 12, Lumapay 12, Laniton 11, Parista 10, Abnga 7, Lugo 6, Popiolek 6, Banaino 5, Cabanez 3, Denapo 3, McGinley 3, Saranba 2 CdO City High School (64) Valiente 13, Ramirez 12, Reosa 11, Castil 6, Dela Diedra 6, Angon 5, Guiao 4, Arcillas 2 Quarter Scores: 19-18; 49-33; 61-47; 80-64
(l.biantan@gmail.com)