Aaron Jeruta lifted Centro Escolar to a 59-57 squeaker over St. Clare yesterday as the Scorpions swept the eliminations and secured an outright berth to the finals of the National Athletics Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) men’s basketball tournament at Makati Coliseum.
The veteran guard fired a three-pointer, issued a key assist and later canned a free throw, all in the final 90 seconds, to allow the Scorpions to escape with their 12th victory and clinch the first title slot in the best-of-three title series.
The Saints, who took only their second loss this season, will wait for the winner of the Fatima Phoenix and the Rizal Technological Blue Thunder today to gain a title shot at the Scorpions.
CEU also reached the finals of the junior and women’s divisions with a similar sweep the previous day.
The CEU Baby Scorpions routed the RTU Baby Thunder (87-53), while the Lady Scorpions clobbered the Lady Thunder (82-53).
Jeruta nailed a triple before sneaking a pass to Alvin Abundo as the Scorpions grabbed the lead for good, 56-52. He later sank one of his two charities to ice the game and finish with 16 points.
The scores:
CEU 59 —Jeruta 16, Batino 11, Abundo 7, Ebondo 6, Casino 6, Sedurifa 6, De Leon 5, Celso 2, Silverie 0, Opiso 0, Vargas 0, Anunciacion 0, Banua 0.
ST. CLARE 57—Gil 16, Ibay 14, Acebron 6, Mendoza 5, Redoh 4, Jamito 4, Managuelod 4, Ambulodto 4, Ibarra 0, Lunor 0.
Quarters: 12-11, 20-23, 34-40, 59-57.