Back-to-back triumph again for SHS-Ateneo

CEBU, Philippines - Another trip to the nationals, another championship.

For the second year in a row, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu won the championship of the Seaoil NBTC Elite League National Hipssgh School Championships when it defeated La Union College of Nursing Arts and Sciences (LUCNAS), 90-78, at the Yñares Center in Pasig over the weekend.

During the national finals, the Magis Eagles swept the Visayas group in the elimination round, crushing Sesam High School of Ormoc, 90-59, in its first assignment. They defeated Sun Yat Sen High School of Iloilo, 79-58, on the same day before conquering West Negros University of Bacolod a day later, 96-59. It then fended off Cavite, 93-75, in the semis.

The championship capped a dominating 12-game sweep of a winning streak dating back to the Cebu leg of the tournament in January where they won all their games. Their average winning margin at the national finals was a whopping 23.8 points per game where they scored 90 points a game and limited the opposition to 66 points a game.

Big man Julius Cadavis also scored a personal back to back, repeating as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player (MOP), a feat he also achieved at last year’s finals in Bacolod.

Pointguard Renzar Henry Asilum and power forward Dawn Hynric Ochea also made it to the Mythical 10 along with Cadavis. Cadavis and Dave Yu also made it to the Seaoil NBTC All Star Showcase, the high school all-star game featuring the best players in the country including players from the UAAP and NCAA. Playing under Cebuano coach Britt Reroma’s White All Stars, Cadavis was also named to the game’s Mythical Five.

This year’s champion team was composed of seniors Cadavis, Asilum, Patrick Go, Aaron Sing, Mavi Suarez, Dandan Tecson and Yu. The juniors on the team were Rendell Senining, Dawn Hynric Ochea and Bro Catan. Sophomore Jair Igna and freshman Janjan Jaboneta were the youngest on the team. The coaching staff is composed of Rommel Rasmo, Sai Bacalso, Jaysar Esperat and Helben Regodon.

This is the second straight schoolyear that the Magis Eagles have won back-to-back national titles. In November 2011, they won a second straight national title in the Passerelle division (Under 15 age group) of the Milo-backed BEST SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament also in Manila.

Next up for the team is the ongoing ThreeSixty Pharmacy Cup as it plays in the 19-Under division. This is part of their preparation for the Palarong Pambansa 2012 where they’ll represent the Central Visayas. Joining them at the Palaro are Lyle Sumayang of CEC and Reeve Ugsang of UV. - THE FREEMAN