ST. CLARE and Centro Escolar blasted their respective foes Sunday to share the lead with three straight wins in the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) basketball tournament at Lumera Towers in Legarda, Manila.
The Saints leaned on their formidable backcourt pair of Eugene Torres and Jeff Viernes to crush the AMACU Titans, 98-81, while the CEU Scorpions used their familiarity with the court to thrash the City University of Pasay Eagles, 103-66.
Torres unloaded 36 points and Viernes added 26 as the new acquisitions from former champion and now on leave University of Manila sent AMA to its second loss in three games.
CEU was never threatened in dealing a third straight loss on the Eagles. The Baby Scorpions made it a twin victory after routing the Baby Saints, 92-73, in the junior division.
In the other seniors match, Our Lady of Fatima finally barged into the win column with a 98-80 rout of Trace College. Fatima also scored in the women’s division with a 71-69 win over St. Clare. STI demolished Trace, 122-56, in the other junior game.
The Senior scores:
First Game
ST.CLARE 98—E. Torres 36, Viernes 26, Manguelod 8, Santos 8, Lunor 5, Dulalia 5, P. Torres 3, Baylen 3, Diswe 2, Jamito 2, Gil 0, Mercado 0, Cruz 0, Ambulodto 0, Barranco 0.
AMA 81—Jordan 18, Matias 11, Villena 10, Ballesteros 9, Bansil 8, Gile 5, Arceo 5, Magpantay 4, Discipulo 4, Quimbao 3, Cruz 2, Angeles 2, Puspus 0, Santos 0.
Quarters: 18-26, 41-38, 67-60, 98-81
Second Game
CEU 103—Martinez 13, Pedrosa 11, Abundo 10, Beldad 10, Garcia 9, Lamosa 9, Batino 7, Pagkatipunan 7, De leon 7, Guillen 6, Batiancela 4, Banua 4, Taclas 3, Bernardo 3, Magbitang 0, Alquisalas 0.
CUP 66—Sarmiento 15, Yambot 10, De vega 7, Penarodondo 7, Tonel 6, Ramos 5, Telpo 5, Martin 5, Bandalan 2, Tanao tanao 2, Manansala 2, Fabula 0, Lizardo 0.
Quarters: 31-16, 50-27, 84-45, 103-66