#Palaro2014 Basketball quarterfinals roundup

A Central Visayas player pumps for shot in the paint against Zamboanga. Photo by Mark Cristino/Rappler

LAGUNA, Philippines - Same faces, different places.

Four familiar squads cruised past the quarterfinal round of the 2014 Palarong Pambansa secondary boys basketball tournament on Thursday, May 8 at the Laguna Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz.

Reigning champions Central Visayas relied on their run-and-gun system as they made easy work of Zamboanga Peninsula in the Final 8 opener, 98-77.

The Sacred Heart Ateneo de Cebu-backed school used hustle and ran over the hapless Region IX crew to book the first semifinals ticket. Reed-thin big man Zach Huang anchored the reigning titlists' offense.

They forged a showdown with fellow 2013 finalist National Capital Region (NCR), who blasted Davao region 96-75.

An NCR player drives past a Davao defender. Photo by Mark Cristino/Rappler

The National University-powered squad had no trouble at all, relying on their group of fine hoops stars like Jarell Lim, Manuel Mosqueda, and Lorenzo Battad to pull off the win.

Central Visayas bested NCR in the 2013 edition in front of a jampacked home arena in Dumaguete City en route to pulling a 70-66 championship clincher. Now is NCR's time to try and deal revenge to their 2013 conquerors.

Hosts almost embarrassed at home

While 2013's 1st and 2nd placers had no problems against their opponents, host squad Calabarzon almost collapsed in their own battle against a determined Central Luzon squad.

A Calabarzon player shoots a three-pointer against Central Luzon. Photos by Mark Cristino/Rappler

The Region III bets totally took away Region IV-A's outside sniping using their hounding halfcourt traps. Central Luzon last led at 59-50, before Calabarzon, last year's third-placers, finally recovered and found their playoff form just in time.

Nico Abatayo and EJ Furaque inspired to lead the San Beda-based team to a 92-80 win.

Finally, Western Visayas dominated their Eastern Visayas counterparts to complete the semfinals crew with a 77-51 blasting.

The Region VI cagers forced a pile of turnovers from Region VIII squad turning it into easy transition points that broke the game wide open.

Action-packed semifinals ahead

All semifinalists made it to last year's Final Four although they took different paths. NCR toppled Calabarzon with the latter settling for third, while Central Visayas ousted their Western Visayas counterparts.

This year, the hosts are pitted against Western Visayas whom they demolished in last year's bronze medal match.

Meanwhile, it will be an early rematch for NCR and Central Visayas with both teams trying to inch closer to the title.

In the secondary girls division, defending champions NCR cruised past Western Visayas, 106-62 while Davao Region, Central Visayas, and Central Luzon all clipped their respective foes for Final Four slots.

Semifinals action starts Friday, May 9.

Secondary boys

Secondary Girls

Elementary boys

– Rappler.com