CEU cagers face tough Naascu field

MANILA, Philippines — Centro Escolar University braces for a tougher title defense when men’s basketball action unfolds in the 14th National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) on Aug. 12 at Makati Coliseum.

St. Clare, last year’s losing finalist and this season’s host, is bent on reclaiming the crown, while Rizal Technological University and new team Philippine Christian University are in the mix of early favorites.

“We have very competitive teams,” league chair Dr. Jay Adalem said in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

“We expect better rivalries this year.” Lyceum of Subic returns, while Central Colleges of the Philippines debuts along with PCU, a former NCAA champion that bolted out of the country’s oldest collegiate league six years ago following an eligibility controversy.

But Adalem said the league expects a fresh start from the Dolphins, who see a solid maiden run under coach Ato Tolentino.

“PCU wants to regain its basketball supremacy,” said Adalem. “But we still expect CEU and St. Clare to be up there. RTU is a darkhorse.”

Rounding out the 10-team field are Polytechnic University of the Philippines, New Era, Our Lady of Fatima and City University of Pasay.