Red Cubs roar to 2 easy wins

MANILA, Philippines - Extreme 97 San Beda came away with a pair of one-sided victories to kick off its title bid in the Seaoil NBTC National High School Championship in Pasig City.

The Red Cubs crushed the NLEX Tarlac side, 94-31, in a morning match at the Ynares Sports Arena before dismantling Philex Zamboanga, 131-51, at the Philsports Arena in the afternoon.

Niko Abatayo and former national U-16 team cager Radge Tongco had 12 points each while NCAA Finals MVP Javee Mocon and Evan Furaque added 10 markers each in San Beda’s rout of Tarlac.

Tongco later posted 16 points while former U-16 teammate Rev Diputado added 15 markers to banner seven players who put in double figure scores as the Taytay-based squad overcame a flat start to roll past Zamboanga.

Meanwhile, Mako Hope Christian High School, fresh from bagging the Metro Manila Tiong Lian championship, drubbed Smart Bacolod, 96-83, as John Apacible and Clint Dominquez combined for 42 points.

Smart Iloilo, on the other hand, stunned fancied Extreme Diesel National University, 65-60, as Paul Calvo exploded with 31 points.

The Ilonggos lagged behind, 35-27, at halftime but Calvo found his mark to lead his team to the come-from-behind victory.

Hubert Cani shot 11 points for NU.

Jio Carlo Agusan fired 34 points as Philex Cagayan de Oro downed Smart Legazpi, 109-94.

In other results, Maynilad Cebu routed Meralco Cavite, 99-28, and Meralco Lucena edged NLEX Dagupan, 76-73.

Sixteen teams are bracketed into four groups with the top teams advancing to the semifinals slated tomorrow.