SHS-Ateneo, USC clash for lead in Seaoil NBTC Elite League

CEBU, Philippines - Opening day winners Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles and the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors battle for share of the overall lead as action in the Seaoil National Basketball Training Camp (NBTC) Elite League resumes this Sunday at the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Basak Campus gym.

The Magis Eagles of coach Roel Rasmo kicked off their campaign with an 82-24 massacre of the hapless Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Greywolves, while the USC Baby Warriors of coach Britt Reroma also got off to a flying start courtesy of their 100-65 rout of the Abellana National School (ANS).

The Magis Eagles and the Baby Warriors will mix it up in the main game at 4 pm, right after the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers shoot for their second straight win against the ANS hoopters at 2:30 pm. The Baby Lancers opened their title bid with a 69-53 whacking of  the USJ-R Baby Jaguars.

In the opening match at 1 pm, USJ-R and Don Bosco hope to barge into the win column as they go up against each other.

Only six teams are taking part in the tournament since the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers were barred from joining for their failure to attend the coaches' convention last October.

They will play in a single round robin format, with the top four advancing into the crossover semifinals. The winners will then clash for the championship in a best-of-three series.

The champion will earn the right to represent Cebu in the National Finals scheduled from March 6 to 9 next year in Manila. (FREEMAN)