By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Sacred Heart-Ateneo De Cebu showed its might in the first game of the Division 1 of the SM NBTC National Finals by dealing AusPinoy a 79-49 beating at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Monday.
The reigning NAASCU juniors champ outscored the Australian squad, 31-7, in the second quarter to turn a close game to a blowout.
Despite giving up 23 points in the third period, the Magis completed the mauling by limiting their opponents to only eight in the final frame.
Vincent Velasco led Sacred Heart with 21 points, five rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block, while Eroll Pastor added 15 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Jasper Rentoy and James Cabbian each tallied 13 markers for AusPinoy.
The Division 1 of the tournament has the Magis Eagles and three other national high school basketball powerhouses battling AusPinoy and three other high school selections overseas.
In Division 2 play, which involves teams outside of either the NCAA, UAAP, or NAASCU, Notre Dame of Midsayap trumped Olongapo-based St. Joseph's College, 86-73, Iloilo-based St. Robert's International Academy defeated Naga-based Jesus the Loving Shepherd School, 74-65, Ateneo De Davao mauled New Ormoc City National High School, 80-33, Dasmariñas-based St. Jude College blasted Mandaue-based St. Louis College, 90-59, and Cagayan De Oro-based Assumption Montessori subdued La Finn's Scholastica of La Union, 68-64.
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