CENTRO Escolar completed a rousing comeback by toppling St. Clare, 64-58, yesterday to capture its first-ever men’s basketball crown and cap a rare triple cage romp in the National Athletics Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) at Makati Coliseum.
After absorbing their first loss of the season in last Wednesday’s Game 1, the Scorpions took the next two games of the best-of-three title series to secure their first crown since 2004, the year they joined the league.
The victory came after the Baby Scorpions routed the Fatima Phoenix, 75-58, to clinch the junior title earlier. CEU nailed the women’s title after sweeping Rizal Technological U last week.
It was a big victory for Scorpions coach Egay Macaraya, who also steered San Sebastian-Cavite to back-to-back titles (2008-2009).
The Scorpions started the season with an 11-0 eliminations sweep.
But the defending champions, bucking the loss of key men from last year’s title run, ended CEU’s run with a 70-68 win in Game 1.
Joseph Sedurifa topscored with 14 points, while Aaron Jeruta added 13 for the Scorpions who built a 23-15 lead and never looked back.
The scores:
CENTRO 64—Sedurifa 14, Jeruta 13, Magbitang 7, De Leon 7, Opiso 0, Ebindo 5, Batino 5, Banua 4, Anunciacion 0, Pagkatipunan 0.
ST CLARE 58—Managuelod 17, Santos 11, Ibay 9, Marte 7, Jamito 6, Dulalia 4, Lunor 2, Cruz 1, Ambulodto 1, Woundo 0.
Quarters: 23-15, 37-31, 50-44, 64-58