Ateneo barges into semifinals

Routs Holy Child, 57-24

ATENEO de Davao University (Addu) team A trounced Holy Child College of Davao (HCCD), 57-24, to reach the semifinals of the Small Basketeers Philippines (SBP) division of SBP-Passerelle Twin Tournament 2016 held at the Fr. Martinez Sports Complex at Addu Matina over the weekend.

Giero Velasquez sank 10 points and teammate Richie Ruales added eight for Ateneo while Alexander Tila had 12 for Holy Child who lost Jan Kurt Lobo in the third period due to unsportsmanlike foul.

Ateneo ended with a 5-0, win-loss card in the eliminations while Holy Child dropped to 4-1. The latter will also join Ateneo to the crossover semis along with Assumption College of Davao (ACD) and Precious International School of Davao (PISD).

"To begin with, yun yung goal namin and we're very happy to be on the top spot since all our hard work paid-off," Ateneo head coach Harry Hipolito said during an interview with Sun. Star Davao.

The team will practice this week to prepare for this weekend's semifinals round, which Hipolito expects to be tough considering Holy Child and ACD also have it takes to win.

Velasquez, in a separate interview, said it was an easy win since Lobo was ejected but they will still prepare for the next game.

"Ibibigay ko lahat para mag champion kami," Velasquez said.

In another match, ACD crushed the University of Immaculate Concepcion (UIC) 61-14. Boxscores: Addu 57 - Kirk Uy 6, Kurt Tumulak 6, Francis Aliviado 6, Justin Cruz 4, Carlo Salvador 4, John Paul Aladin 3, Rafael Bibay 2, Samuel Torres 2, Nathan Oribello 2.

HCCD 24: Irvin Celajes 4, Jayden Dagpin 3, Daniel Quijada 2, Ken Hayashi 2, Khian Pilapil 1.