Centurians secure knockout stage spot after defeating Al Bateen

Jay Asser 08:29 17/05/2015
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  • Low-scoring tie: Centurians’ Antoni Vergara (r) lays up against Al Bateen U14 in their 26-16 win.

    With an unbeaten final weekend in group play, 21st Century Private School (Centurians) secured their spot in the knockout stage and 

    solidified their status as favourites coming out of Sharjah.

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    The under-14 squad entered yesterday at New York University with a loss in their only contest and in need of two wins to get through to the quarter-finals.

    They first took care of The Model School with relative ease, capturing a 39-19 victory to put them one step closer, before earning the decisive win against Al Bateen, 26-16, later in the afternoon to cement their spot.

    “My boys are really great and play with passion,” said 21st Century coach Danest. “I want them to give their best during the game with teamwork, defence and skills.

    "I’m happy to be part of the NSL and we’re looking forward to the quarter-finals and hope we can play well again.

    “The second game was the toughest for the under-14s. The first game wasn’t so tough, but still the boys and the coach were good. I was just worried about the second game because the score was close and we’re lucky because my boys got good shooting.”

    Big win: Centurians U16 (r) dominated AAESS.

    Antoni Vergara led the way in the opening victory with 20 points, three rebounds and two assists as his sharpshooting earned him player of the game honours.

    “I could not have won it without my team-mates and because of them and our teamwork, we won the game,” Vergara said.

    In the low-scoring second contest, 21st Century didn’t need as much offence as Edrick Yuste provided 10 points and seven rebounds, despite describing the experience of playing a second game nearly a half an hour later as “really exhausting”. 

    There was less drama for Centurians’ under-16 team, who continued their stellar play with a lopsided 60-29 victory against Al Ain English Speaking School (AAESS).

    Lance Castro suffered a leg injury in the second half and had to sit out the rest of the game, but not before notching up 22 points to be named the game’s MVP.

    The win meant 21st Century finished group play at a perfect 4-0 and Danest is looking forward to putting both of his squads to the test against the other regions in the knockout stage.

    “We’re preparing for the quarter-finals because we know the teams in Dubai and Sharjah are really good and tough competitors also,” he said.

    Philippine Emirates Private School (PEPS) claimed the remaining under-16 spot with a 32-22 victory over the International School of Choueifat (ISC) and a dominant 40-15 win against Al Bateen.

    John Steve Lazo had 11 points and five rebounds versus ISC, while Kyle Funchica stood out in the team effort against Al Bateen with a near double-double as he scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

    “It was a very fun game. Our opponents played hard and they were tall, but we executed well,” said Funchica, who singled-out defence as the point of emphasis going forward in the knockout stage.

    Falling short of reaching the quarter-finals for under-16 were ISC, who couldn’t fight all the way back against PEPS after starting in a massive 20-0 hole.

    ISC had more success in the U-14 category as Kareem Eid’s eight points and 16 rebounds spurred the squad to a 43-14 victory. At a perfect 3-0, ISC will have the chance to continue their unbeaten run in the knockout stage.

    In a contest that had no impact on qualifying, Al Bateen got one in the win column with their 30-24 defeat of AAESS as Teppi Goto just missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.

    The quarter-finals will take place next weekend in Dubai at GEMS Sports Academy and in Sharjah at Victoria International School of Sharjah.

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