DEFENDING champion Hua Siong College of Iloilo (HSCI) ran out of steam in the ongoing National Basketball Training Center (NBTC)-Iloilo quarterfinals after suffering their first defeat in the hands of University of San Agustin (USA), 90-86, at the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) covered gym, Feb. 2.
San Agustin banked on Jesmar Edgar Fulgencio’s back-to-back triples to claim the victory. Fulgencio finished the game with 15 points, while teammate John Michael Vicencio added 15 markers.
USA is now assured of a semifinals seat after improving to a 2-0 win-loss slate in their bracket.
Meanwhile, Santa Clarita International School (SCIS) Primes escaped CenterPhil Montessori SilverKnights, 89-93.
Ralph Bajon carried SCIS on his back with 22 points, while Franc Steven Tono added 19 baskets. They are a win away from clinching the second semis seat.
In the third game, Gwyn Miles Pendon and Rolen John Pantin both scored 21 baskets to propel St. Robert’s International Academy (SRIA) Panda Rockets past Sun Yat Sen High School (SYSHS), 57-50.
In the last game, JM Delos Santos of Integrated Academy School Systems Inc. (TIASS) collected 18 points to post an upset victory against Iloilo National High School (INHS), 66-60.
The top two teams from the combined groups will advance to the crossover semifinals on Feb. 13. The championship title resumes on the following day, Feb. 14.
NBTC – Antique 2019
Meanwhile, Col. Ruperto Abellon National School (CRANS) also snatched the crown in the NBTC-Antique after outpointing Sta. Justa National High School (SJNHS), 109-108.
MVP Fermin Casiano, who exploded with 42 big points, led the Antique leg champion.
SJNHS’s Johann Villanueva also impressed the crowd after he was named 3-point king of the league.
