ST. CLARE held on to the top spot even as Centro Escolar remained in close pursuit as they drubbed their respective foes yesterday in the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) men’s basketball at Trace College of Laguna.
It was another romp for the Saints whose fortified lineup is expected to go all the way to the finals as they ran down the Fatima Phoenix, 100-69, behind heavy artillery from prized acquisition Jeff Viernes.
The 5-foot-10 Viernes powered the Saints with 39 points and keyed their sixth win in as many games.
The Phoenix dropped to 3-3.
Earlier, Axel Garcia and Mark Guillen teamed up with 17 and 16 points, respectively as CEU thrashed STI, 67-49, for their fifth victory in as many outings.
The Olympians, runners-up the past two seasons, hobbled with 3-2 record. Marc Anthony Reyes
The Senior scores:
First Game
CEU 67—Garcia 17, Guillen 16, Magbitang 7, Batino 6, De leon 6, Lamosa 5, Beldad 4, Alquisalas 3, Abundo 2, Taclas 1, Pedrosa 0, Martinez 0, Banua 0, Batiancela 0.
STI 49—Ablaza 14, Morales 8, Chavez 7, Moreno 5, Bocablo 4, Dela pena 4, Labis 3,Ohandja 2, Francisco 2, Saldana 0, Ortega 0, Riva 0.
Quarters: 14-13, 33-20, 48-34., 67-49
Second Game
ST.CLARE 100—Viernes 39, Santos 16, Gil 14, Ambulodto 7, Jamito 7, Diswe 5, Cruz 5, Torres E. 2, Lunor 2, Torres P. 2 Mercado 2, Baylen 1, Janobas 0, Dulalia 0, Managuelod 0.
OLFU 69—Jimenez 13, Jornacion 12, Banaria 11, Cubo 10, Rosales 5, Ignacio 3, Pineda 3, Enriquez 2, Antalan 2, Retonda 2, Pangilinan 2, Valdevilla 2, Andor 2, Datu 0, Ananayo 0, Villalon 0.
Quarters: 29-9, 54-32, 83-51, 100-69