Magis Eagles fall short against NU in NBTC

The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles ended their journey in the NBTC National Finals with a 71-41 loss against the National University (NU) Baby Bullpups in the semifinal round at the Mall of Asia Arena yesterday.

The SHS-AdC, which was off a a morale-boosting an upset win against sister school Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) the other day, put up a gallant stand against NU before losing steam in the second half.

SHS-Adc trailed by only five points against the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) junior’s runner-up NU, 33-28, at the half but the Bullpups found their stroke in the second half, putting up a a 14-point lead after the third quarter. NU continued to fire on all cylinders in the fourth, thanks to Gerry Abadiano, and finished the game at 71-47.

It was in the quarterfinals when the No.8 seeded SHS-AdC stole the thunder with a 72-70 upset against the No.1 seed and reigning UAAP juniors champions ADMU.

Errol Pastor and Wilson Yu led SHS-AdC in the pulsating win against ADMU. Pastor fired 21 points with eight rebounds while Yu added 18 points and six rebounds.

SHS-AdC athletic director Rico Navarro said that the semis this year was an over achievement.

“We’re ranked eight and expected to lose to ADMU in the quarters,” he said.

The SHS-AdC made it to the semis after beating University of Assumption (UA-San Fernando) in the first round, Hope Christian College in the second round and eventually ADMU in the quarters.

Meanwhile, the NU and reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) juniors champion La Salle Greenhills will clash in the final today. /