CEU-St. Clare Naascu title clash today

1. CLARE and Centro Escolar collide again in a rubber match for the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) men’s basketball crown today at Makati Coliseum.

The defending champion CEU Scorpions and the Saints clash at 5 p.m. with odds just about even in this replay of their title showdown last year.

The Scorpions downed the Saints twice and swept the eliminations this season but St. Clare ended CEU’s streak by taking the opener of the best-of-three title series, 60-54, last week.

CEU bounced back with an 85-83 victory last Wednesday to force the do-or-die duel and set itself up for a championship repeat.

CEU coach Egay Macaraya said the adjustments they made paid off in Game 2, noting that his bench combined for 32 points.

But St. Clare mentor Jino Manansala said they got stymied by what he termed as outrageous number of fouls called during the game. St. Clare was slapped with 35 fouls, two more than CEU’s total.

CEU is looking for a second straight men’s title, while St. Clare is gunning for a second crown since 2012.

The Baby Saints earlier emerged juniors champions after beating the Baby Scorpions (74-73), while the Lady Scorpions ruled women’s play with a 75-61 win over the Rizal Technological Lady Thunder, also last Wednesday.