Assumption rips Olongapo in Division 2

MANILA, Philippines - Rico Soliman scored 19 points and Allen Guilas added 18 markers as Assumption-Pampanga routed Olongapo City National, 108-84, in the Division II inaugurals yesterday at the start of the 2014 Seaoil NBTC League National High School Finals at the CCF gym.

Bernardino Tandayu led Olongapo with 20 points while Roland Basa had 16 markers in the tournament that serves as the official grassroots development program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. 

Meanwhile, a heavy 19-game schedule marks Day 2 of the two-division national championship in three different venues today.

In Division I matches at the Ynares Sports Arena, National University-A tests St. Francis of Assisi-Cavite at 8 a.m.; Southern City College-Zamboanga battles Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori-Cagayan de Oro at 9:30; and University of San Carlos takes on Iloilo Central Commercial at 11 a.m.

The event is backed by the MVP Sports Foundation, Meralco, Smart, NLEX, Maynilad, Philex, The Philipine Star and Molten.

In the afternoon, St. Francis returns to clash with Sacred Heart-Ateneo of Cebu 12:30 p.m.; Sacred Heart-CdO meets Assumption-Davao at 2; West Negros goes up against San Carlos at 3:30; and Assumption collides with Southern City at 5 p.m.

Division II games at the Meralco gym feature University of the Cordilleras-Baguio against De La Salle-Lipa at 8 a.m.; Divine Word Academy-Dagupan against Assumption-Pampanga at 9:30; Bethel Baptist Christian-Bukidnon against San Isidro Parish-Mandaue at 11; De La Salle against Jesus the Loving Shepherd-Naga at 12:30 p.m.; Olongapo City National against Divine Word at 2; San Isidro against Reedley International School at 3:30; and Jesus the Loving Shepherd against Cordilleras U at 5 p.m.

And at Treston gym, San Benildo tangles with Trinity University of Asia at 8:30 a.m.; National U-B faces off with Chiang Kai Shek College at 10:30; Jubilee Christian Academy meets San Benildo at 12:30 p.m.; National U-B faces Hope Christian at 2:30; and Trinity tests Jubilee at 4:30 p.m.

The format calls for teams from each group in both divisions to play a single round elimination. The top two teams advance to the crossover quarterfinals in an A vs B and C vs D affair. The four winners then meet in another crossover fashion in the semifinals to decide the finalists for both divisions.