CENTRO Escolar U practically secured its place in the semifinal following a 69-45 triumph over New Era yesterday for its eighth win in as many games in the National Athletics Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities at RTU Gym.
Nigerian Tambwe Ebondo presided over the onslaught with 17 points, mostly on inside forays, while Mon Alvin Abundo added 10 markers for the unbeaten Scorpions.
Leo Angelo Roncal headed the Hunters with 17 markers but that didn’t stop them from falling to their sixth loss in eight games.
Later, Elmer Managuelod and Dennis Santos starred as defending champion St. Clare downed Fatima, 57-53.
Managuelod finished with 12 points and Santos 11 for the Saints, who are on a seven-game winning run for a 7-1 record.
Joseph Marquez scored 11 for the Phoenix, who absorbed their fourth defeat in eight matches.
The victories pushed the Scorpions and the Saints, last year’s finalists, head and shoulders above the rest. They square off in the second round on Sept. 13 at Makati Coliseum.