MANILA—University of Manila crushed Centro Escolar, 89-61, while STI drubbed Informatics, 82-48, Saturday to forge a championship duel in the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities men’s basketball at the Makati Coliseum.
The Hawks and the Olympians never had to use their twice-to-beat edge to arrange a repeat of the 2007 title showdown won by STI.
“It’s going to be an exciting finals,” said UM president Ernesto delos Santos from the bench right after the Hawks’ Final Four win.
Game 1 of the best-of-three finals is set for Wednesday also at the Makati Coliseum.
The Hawks ran their defense with speed and grit, but it was the hot shooting of Rhandelle Colina and Alvin Viernes who had 22 and 21 points, respectively, which took the sting out of the Scorpions.
Colina, freed by relentless, multiple screens, drilled in five triples.
“He’s on his first and last year, so he’s making the most of it,” said Delos Santos of the 23-year-old Colina, a 6-foot rookie from Davao. League limits playing age at 23.
Viernes also starred, running the plays and hitting the clutch baskets, including a three-pointer that shoved UM to a 45-19 lead early in the third quarter.
Viernes, a sophomore from Isabela, also hit an open jumper to give UM its biggest lead, 83-48.
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