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| Ric Arlos (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY--AMA's U-17 set up an all-dark horse semifinal showdown with Ateneo de Manila University - Prada with a 64-48 victory over Xavier in the quarterfinal day of the PhilHealth-City Hoops Preseason Cup at the CCP Gym on Sunday.
The U-17 Junior Titans appeared to have easily deposed the U-17 Stallions after erecting a 20-2 run spanning the second and the third periods to open a huge double-digit spread.
Xavier slowly crawled back, building a run of their own to cut the lead to as low as four, 52-48, in the fourth period.
But AMA ended the game with 12 straight points to put the result beyond doubt.
The U-17 Titans will take on the Ateneo Prada team in the sudden death semifinal on Tuesday at the AFP Wellness Center with the winner facing the Gomez De Liaño Brothers-powered UPIS on Saturday at the West Greenhills Gym.
In U-13 actions, San Sebastian and Marist set up their own Tuesday semis clash by beating San Beda-Alabang and Ateneo respectively.
The U-13 Staglets subdued the U-13 Cubs, 51-49, while the U-13 Bears shocked the U-13 Eaglets, 53-47.
AMA's U-13 squad awaits the winner of the Tuesday contest in the Saturday final.
It's also San Sebastian and Marist in the U-15 semis after taking down AMA and Xavier respectively.
The U-15 Staglets subdued the U-15 Junior Titans, 69-68, while the U-15 Bears turned back the U-15 Stallions, 42-33.
Ateneo Blue will face the winner of the said match in the championship game on Saturday.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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