Defending champion Centro Escolar pounced on a battle-weary St. Clare to score a 76-62 triumph even as Fatima downed Rizal Technological, 94-85, at the start of the National Athletics Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Makati Coliseum.
Rodel Samboy de Leon banged in 17 points and four other Scorpions scored in double figures in the duel between last year’s finalists.
Aaron Jeruta scored 14 points while Rodrigue Ebondo and Alfred Batino added 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for CEU which led by as many as 19 points, 23-4, early in the game.
St. Clare coach Jinno Manansala, which steered the Saints to the 2012 title, blamed their lethargic start to fatigue as the players just came from winning the Danny Espiritu Cup.
“Maybe the boys were just too tired, and Centro played well,” said Manansala whose charges won the NCRAA in the pre season.