ST. CLARE downed AMA, 73-67, while Centro Escolar nipped STI, 54-49, over the weekend to forge a showdown for the National Athletics Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (Naascu) men’s basketball crown at Makati Coliseum.
The Saints and the Scorpions, who didn’t have to use their twice-to-beat incentives as the top two teams after the eliminations, begin their best-of-three title series this Friday.
Jeff Alvin Viernes scattered 32 points for the Saints, who also drew big numbers from wily center Jammer Jamito. The 2006 champion AMA Titans got 15 points from Archie Bansil and 14 from Ermido Discipulo.
Viernes picked up the slack from Eugene Torres who incurred his third foul early in the game. The 6-foot guard, who came from the defunct University of Manila like Torres, scored all of the Saints’ first 10 points. Torres finished with seven.
Jay Alquisalas topscored with 16 points while Axl Garcia turned in 13 for the Scorpions, who ousted the 2007 champion Olympians.
The Senior scores:
First Game
CEU 54—Alquisalas 16, Garcia 13, Magbitang 8, Lamosa 6, De leon 6, Beldad 2, Guillen 2, Batino 1, Pedrosa 0, Abundo 0.
STI 49—Ablaza 15, Sabellina 10, Francisco 8, Morales 7, Moreno 4, Bocablo 2, Saldana 2, Lara 1, Riva 0, Chavez 0, Moraga 0, Ohandja 0, Labis 0.
Quarters: 13-12, 27-24, 34-34, 54-49
Second Game
ST.CLARE 73—Viernes 32, Jamito 13, Lunor 8, Torres E. 7, Managuelod 4, Torres P. 3, Gil 2, Janobas 2, Amboludto 2, Mercado 0, Diswe 0, Santos 0, Dulalia 0.
AMACU 67—Bansil 15, Discipulo 14, Jordan 8, Gile 8, Gil 7, Villena 6, Angeles 3, Arceo 3, Quiambao 2, Cruz 1, Magpantay 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 36-32, 55-49, 73-67