St. Clare came out with enough grit to stun defending champion Centro Escolar, 60-54, at Makati Coliseum yesterday and move just a win away from wresting the men’s basketball title of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu).
The Baby Saints touched off St. Clare’s stirring double triumph by downing the CEU Baby Scorpions, 68-63, in their own best-of-three series for the junior crown.
St. Clare will gun for both titles tomorrow, also at Makati Coliseum.
The Saints sustained their intensity to deal the Scorpions their first defeat of the season and inch closer to a championship they last tasted two years ago.
The Baby Saints leaned on forward Christopher Bitoon who scored 24 points, 16 of them from the free-throw line.
But CEU stood its ground in the women’s division as the Lady Scorpions stung the Rizal Technological University Lady Thunder, 74-70, to move a win closer to the crown.
“We have shown our hunger for the crown and the desire to prove ourselves,” said St. Clare coach Jino Manansala.
The scores:
Seniors
ST. CLARE 60—Ibarra 14, Gil 10, Ibay 8, Mendoza 6, Ambulodto 6, Jamito 6, Acebron 6, Managuelod 2, Lunor 2, Redoh 0.
CEU 54—De Leon 15, Jeruta 9, Celso 8, Ebondo 5, Sedurifa 5, Batino 4, Abundo 3, Casino 2, Banua 2, Opiso 1.
Quarters: 15-9, 31-23, 40-3, 60-54
Juniors
ST. CLARE 68—Bitoon 24, Tero 13, Galvelo 11, Esguerra 6, Pangan 6, Fongue 3, Padua 2, Siva 2, San Diego 1.
CEU 63—Trangia 16, Aquino 12, Mutombo 9, De Leon 9, Saber 7, Arim 5, Gastador 3, Galinato 1, Cruz 1, Malubay 0.
Quarters: 13-15, 32-29, 56-50, 68-63
Women
CEU 74—Pontejos 31, Figuracion 13, Doloque 9, Mercado 8, Caranto 8, Lacson 6, Villanueva 4, Mamaril 3, Ventura 2.
RTU 70—Duazo 28, Mier 8, Inofernio 7, Dionisio 5, Jaberto 5, Canelas 4, Pocallan 4, Ibanez 4, Montos 3, Ayhon 2.
Quarters: 18-13, 33-30, 51-59, 74-70