CDO champ confident but cautious in reg'l basketball tourney

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- This city's champion, the Southern Philippines College (SPC) Sharks, is confident, but at the same time cautious,  when they play against top teams from Northern Mindanao on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 16-17) in the Chooks-To-Go National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) League here.

Sharks coach Rey Dangcal said that they are prepared as they have been training hard since they won the Cagayan de Oro City title over Assumption Montessori School (AMS).

However, Dangcal said he considers all teams as equally strong as they have not seen them play yet.

He added that they will make lots of adjustments during the match days.

“I make sure that the players are physically and mentally prepared. I also make sure that we practice shooting on the tournament venue,” he said.

SPC will play against Surigao City National High School (Surigao City, Surigao del Norte) on Saturday morning and then Timber City Academy (Butuan City, Agusan del Norte) in the evening at the hard-surface Barangay Gusa covered court.

On Sunday hostilities will resume at the Xavier University main gym. The top teams in the two groups will play at 6 p.m.

He is, however, confident that his team will hurdle their opponents but is a little bit worried as his star player Jericho Montecalvo is nursing a fever.

“I just hope he will be ready on Saturday,” he said.  

Montecalvo drilled in 26 points in their win over SMS and his presence is much needed in the Northern Mindanao elimination tournament. The top team will advance to the national finals at the SM Mall Of Asia Arena next month.

Schedule of Games

--Saturday February 16 Venue: Brgy Gusa Covered Court-11 a.m. Southern Phippine College vs Surigao City National High School; 12:30 p.m.

--Infant Jesus School of Bukidnon vs La Salle Academy; 5 p.m.

--Timber City Academy vs Southern Philippine College; 6:30 p.m.

--NOLI National HS vs Infant Jesus School of Bukidnon-Sunday

--February 17 Venue: Xavier Gym; 8 a.m. Surigao City National High School vs Timber City Academy; 9:30 a.m.

--La Salle Academy vs NOLI National High School; CHAMPIONSHIP GAME- 6:30 p.m (Top Team from Bracket A and B

Bracket A  

Southern Philippine College (Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental)  

Surigao City National High School (Surigao City, Surigao del Norte)  

Timber City Academy (Butuan City, Agusan del Norte)

Bracket B  

Infant Jesus School (Valencia City, Bukidnon)

La Salle Academy (ligan City, Lanao del Norte)   

NOLI National High School (Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur) (PNA)