PASAY—Sacred Heart and San Beda-Taytay developed a rivalry in recent years considering their hard-fought championship games in the Palarong Pambansa and the NBTC National Finals.
On Thursday, a new chapter in their cross-island derby will unfold.
The Magis Eagles booked yet another showdown with the Red Cubs for all the marbles after they trounced the Malayan Red Robins, 81-75, in the second Division 1 semifinal at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
The reigning NAASCU champions held off the NCAA holders in the second half to spoil a potential NCAA finals rematch for the NBTC Division 1 crown.
It was a tale of two quarters in the first half as Sacred Heart led, 22-16, in the first period only for Malayan to bounce back in the second and head to halftime ahead, 39-38.
The Magis Eagles limited the Red Robins to only eight points in the third quarter and kept the lead for good in the final frame.
Eroll Pastor tallied 17 points and 19 rebounds for Sacred Heart, which won the 2015 title at the expense of San Beda-Taytay.
Jasper Salenga dropped 19 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal for Malayan.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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