ST. JUDE College Cavite and Assumption Montessori School Cagayan De Oro arranged a duel for the Division II title of SM NBTC National High School Championship presented by Freego after hurdling their semifinal foes on Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
St. Jude overcame Ateneo de Davao, 84-65, while Assumption Montessori defeated last year’s champion De La Salle Lipa, 60-56, to advance to Thursday’s Division 2 finals set at 2 p.m.
Victor Buraga had 18 points and six rebounds, while Marrion Magulabnan finished with 15 points for St. Jude. Also coming up big for the Dasmariñas-based squad was Bryan Limpangog, who had 13 points, nine rebounds, seven steals, and three blocks.
Milo Janao finished with 18 points, while Rome Mutya (16 points, 15 rebounds) and Romel Calahat (15 points, 15 rebounds) had double-doubles as Assumption Montessori ended the title-retention bid of La Salle Lipa.
The St. Jude-Assumption Montessori will be played before the 4 p.m. Division 1 finals between San Beda and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.
The scores:
First game
Assumption Montessori School (60)—Janao 18, Mutya 16, Calahat 15, Bedolido 5, Lim 4, Palabrica 2, Gelogo 0, Hosain 0.
La Salle Lipa (56)—Javier 20, Lupac 19, Abila 6, Larosa 4, Canubas 4, Dimayuga 3, Platon 0, Baldovino 0, Virrey 0.
Quarters: 16-13, 35-24, 43-42, 60-56.
Second game
St. Jude College Cavite (84)—Buraga 18, Mangulabnan 15, Limpangog 13, Barquin 10, Gurtiza 9, Laurencio 8, Aviles 5, Wahing 2, Sobrepena 2, Palencia 2, De Quiros 0, Gabat 0.
Ateneo de Davao (65)—Angeles 20, Escanador 14, Barrientos 11, Doromal 8, Bacalso 5, Manliguez 4, Taculin 2, Selgas 1, Cane 0, Batilo 0, Weill 0.
Quarters: 18-16, 40-32, 60-50, 84-65.