PRESSING the refresh button after a ‘false’ start, Ateneo de Davao University got back on the winning track by routing Davao City National High School, 93-45, on Sunday in the 4th Emilio Escandor Cup High School Basketball Tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Francis Gabriel Escandor, whose explosive debut was obliterated by a forfeited win over Jose Maria College owing to an oversight over player eligibility, struck hard again for the Blue Knights with 21 points.
Ion Angeles added 12 for the Blue Knights while shifty playmaker Jethro Taculin chipped in 11. The usually hot Axel Doromal was limited to six points - the same output as Dariel Manliguez.
Jose Maria College and Davao Jones Academy took the early lead with their second successive wins.
The JMC cagers, who benefited from Ateneo de Davao’s game forfeiture, tool the early lead in Group A with a 54-46 win over Philippine Women’s College.
Davao Jones Academy kept abreast with its second straight win in Group B, routing hapless Holy Cross of Sasa 100-33.
Debuting defending champion Holy Child went through the proverbial eye of the needle in eking out a close 79-76 win over Ford Academy. Ford dropped to 1-1.
Assumption College of Davao likewise opened its campaign with a 70-59 rout of Emar Learning Center while Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School scored its first win via a 68-61 upset of Agro-Industrial Foundation College.