CKS, NU, Iloilo reach NBTC quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Seaoil Extreme 95-Chiang Kai Shek College, Seaoil Extreme Diesel-National University A, and Smart-Iloilo swept their Division I preliminary assignments to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2014 Seaoil NBTC League National High School finals in two different venues yesterday.

Chiang Kai Shek turned back Seaoil Extreme 97-Hope Christian High School, 77-71, at the Ynares Sports Arena before edging Seaoil Extreme U-NU B, 75-71, at the Treston Gym to complete a sweep of Group A.

NU-A routed Maynilad Cavite, 87-70, to sweep its two assignments in Group B going to the next phase of the competition which serves as the official grassroots program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

The Iloilo squad from Hua Siong College defeated Maynilad Cebu-University of San Carlos, 73-57, to likewise sweep Group C of the event backed by the MVP Sports Foundation, Meralco, Smart, NLEX, Maynilad, Philex, The Philippine STAR and Molten.

All quarterfinal and semifinal matches in Division 1 and 2 will be played today at the Ynares Sports Arena, Meralco Gym, and Xavier Gym with the finals scheduled tomorrow at the Ynares Sports Arena.

JV Gallego finished with a game-high 23 points, including three triples for the CKSC Blue Dragons, who led by as many as 11 points in their match-up against Tiong Lian rival Hope Christian HS last Thursday.

Hope Christian HS closed to within three, 67-70, with a minute remaining in the game but Chiang Kai Shek came through with crucial baskets down the stretch to clinch the win.

CKSC’s Mohammed Salim shot 11 of his 14 points in the second half and led an 11-0 run in the final period to pull off a victory versus the determined Bullpups-B.

John Paul Cauilan had a huge outing for the Bullpups-A, scoring 29 points and grabbing nine rebounds against Cavite, represented by St. Francis of Assisi College.

Ralph Penuela finished with 17 points, while John Paul Calvo and Joshua Edjan each had 16 for Iloilo, which won the opening game of the tournament Thursday against Bacolod, 74-61.

In Division II action at the Meralco Gym, NLEX-Pampanga of University of Assumption also claimed its second win and a berth in the quarterfinals after a 69-36 rout of NLEX-Dagupan’s Divine Word Academy.