Sacred Heart Cebu shocks San Beda, wins first NBTC title

MANILA, Philippines -- The best high school team in the land is not from Manila but from Cebu.

Displaying nerves of steel, Sacred Heart of Cebu went to the power duo of Felix Jaboneta and Zachary Huang in the fourth quarter as it eked out a come-from-behind 82-78 victory over San Beda on Sunday and its first ever title in the Seaoil-NBTC High School Championships at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.

Down 59-66, Huang bullied his way to eight straight points while Jaboneta scored 10 in row in an 18-2 run that sealed the reigning Cesafi juniors titlist its first NBTC crown and the distinction as the best high school basketball squad in the country today.

"The players showed big heart," said Sacred Heart coach Rommel Rasmo.

Jaboneta ended up with 27 points while Huang scattered 14 to fittingly end their playing days with Sacred Heart on a bright note.

"It's my last year and I'm happy to help my school win a championship this big," said the 17-year-old Jaboneta, who was discovered in the Palarong Pambansa years back when his Antique team stunned Cebu, in Filipino.

It was actually one of many titles that Jaboneta and Huang won for the Magis Eagles, who also won in Cesafi and the Palarong Pambansa two years ago.

But nothing beats defeating a powerhouse San Beda team that not only won the NCAA, the best high school league in the country, and the Palarong Pambansa in Sta. Cruz, Laguna both last year.

"It's extra special because this is not only our first, it also came by beating the best schools in the country including San Beda," said Rasmo.

While the Magis Eagles whopped it up in celebration, the Cubs just stared blankly and dejected knowing they just let opportunity passed.

At first though, San Beda appeared headed for a blowout  as it raced to an 18-2 start with Mark Diputado, who ironically played for Sacred Heart for two seasons before transferring to the Big City, leading the way with 11 points.

But Diputado hurt his knee midway in the second period, paving the way for a mighty comeback for Sacred Heart.

And then Jaboneta and Huang took over.

Fil-Australian Joshua Sinclair provided the needed help as he finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds.

The scores:

Sacred Heart 82- Jaboneta 27, Sinclair 1 5, Huang 14, Longa 7, Araw Araw 5, Mayol 4, Colonia 4, Nacua 4, Co 2, Mantua 0. 

San Beda 78- Caracut 17, Decapia 17, Abatayo 12, Diputado 11, Furaque 8, Bordeos 8, Framil 3, Abuhiljeh 2, Geralao 0, Apoloto 0. 

Quarterscores: 18-21; 38-42; 51-59; 82-78