Defending champion University of St. La Salle and Mansilingan Christian Academy defeated their respective opponents over the weekend to advance to the semifinal round of the NOPSSCEA aspirants boys' basketball tournament at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Gym in Bacolod City.

The Baby Stingers demolished St. John's Institute, 84-45, to enter into the semifinals as the top seed in Bracket A, while MCA trounced St. Rose of Lima School, 78-63, and West Negros College, 62-54, to top Bracket B.

Despite the loss to La Salle, SJI still advanced to the final four with a 4-1 win-loss card in Bracket A. USLS finished its elimination-round campaign with an unblemished 5-0 slate as MCA swept all of its six assignments heading into the semifinals.

Also earning a semifinals berth in Bracket B was Bacolod Tay Tung High School as it recorded a 4-2 slate after posting victories over the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Bacolod, 77-59, and UNO-R Talisay, 47-43.

The La Sallians will battle BTTHS in the crossover semifinal-round on Saturday, while Mansilingan will collide with St. John's.

Other games at the close of eliminations saw UNO-R Talisay prevailing over St. Joseph's School-La Salle, 61-57; Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod ripping Bacolod Christian Education Center School, 51-31, and SJS-La Salle escaping UNO-R Bacolod, 78-77.

Brix Lagumbay and Gerald Gallego canned 24 and 16 points, respectively, as they powered St. Benilde School in edging St. Augustine International School, 68-66, in overtime.

Mark Arsenal led SAIS after exploding for 34 points, while Joel Padilla poured in 22 markers.*CIT

back to top

Capitol to look into unpaid Paglaum bills
Nat'l Open-bound NOFA XI unveiled
Solon opposes POC proposal to retain BAP as RP cage body
La Salle, MCA advance to semis
Supercross fires off Sunday