St. Clare limited Rizal Technological to just six points in the first quarter and four in the fourth and cruised to a 76-46 victory yesterday that sealed its third straight championship appearance in the National Athletics Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) men’s basketball tournament at Makati Coliseum.
Veterans Marte Gil, Jayson Ibay and Earvin Mendoza starred for the Saints who arranged a title showdown against the unbeaten Centro Escolar Scorpions for the second straight year. CEU also swept the elimination last year but lost Game 1 to St. Clare in the finals before prevailing in Games 2 and 3 to snare the crown.
Game 1 of this year’s best-of-three title series is set Friday also at Makati Coliseum.
Gil led all scorers with 20 points, while Ibay and Mendoza added 16 and 13 points, respectively.
St. Clare erupted with a big opening-quarter run but allowed RTU to come within striking distance in the next two periods.
The Saints then stepped it up in the payoff quarter, unloading 30 points while choking the Blue Thunder to just four for the runaway win.
The Blue Thunder shocked the Fatima Phoenix in the stepladder semifinals last Thursday.
It was a twin victory for St. Clare after its junior team edged Fatima, 80-77, to also reach the championship against CEU.
The Saints displayed superb shooting, making 29 of 70 shots from two-point zone, and 8-of-20 from the three-point area.
They also got 41 points from the bench compared to 14 by the Blue Thunder as St. Clare coach Jino Manansala shuffled his players to find out his most lethal combination.
The scores:
ST CLARE 76—Gil 20, Ibay 16, Mendoza 13, Ibarra 8, Managuelod 7, Redoh 4, Jamito 4, Lunor 2, Acebron 2, Dulalia 0, Ambulodto 0.
RTU 46—Cenel 16, Quiro 8, Bear 4, Pronto 4, Storm 3, Estoce 2, Sarona 2, Dela Pena 2, Tabi 2, Parina 2, Montecillo 1, Justiniani 0, Bangeles 0.
Quarters: 17-6, 32-27, 46-42, 76-46