Unbeaten CEU near 5th WNCAA plum

Centro Escolar University moved a victory away from its fifth straight seniors crown while St. Paul College Pasig and Chiang Kai Shek College also prevailed in the finals opener of the 46th WNCAA basketball at Rizal Memorial Coliseum last Saturday.

Two-time Most Valuable Player Janine Pontejos fired a game-high 24 points as CEU outlasted Rizal Technological University, 64-55, in Game 1 of their best-of three series.

The win was the Lady Scorpion’s ninth straight this season after sweeping all their seven elimination games and ousting San Beda College Alabang in the Final Four.  They also beat RTU in last year’s finals.

Opeyemi Lawan and Cristine Caranto added 12 points each for CEU.

In the midgets finals, St. Paul stunned defending champion De La Salle Zobel, 42-36, with Rafaella Maxine Almeda leading all scorers with 18 points.

Carly Kaye Monreal led DLSZ, which is likewise eyeing a fifth straight championship, with 13 points.

CKSC also drew first blood against DLSZ in the juniors finals, 63-50.

Caila Galamiton fired 26 points for CKSC, the champion two years ago.

CEU, St. Paul and CKSC will go for the clincher this Saturday after Typhoon “Lando” postponed Sunday’s matches.

The Senior scores:

CEU 64—Pontejos 24, Lawan 12, Caranto 12, Dologue 6, Galco 4, Ventura 4, Lacson 2, Solis 0.

RTU 55—Duazo 26, inoferio 13, Jaberto 8, Santos 4, Mantos 2, Mier 2, Orillana 0, Castillano 0, Pocallan 0, Ybañez 0, Dioniso 0, Halawig 0, Canelas 0.

Quarters: 16-9, 32-19, 44-39, 64-55