Defending four-time champion St. Francis of Assisi College weathered the challenge of erstwhile unbeaten De Ocampo Memorial College, 77-70, recently in the 5th Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association (Uclaa) basketball championship at NCBA gym in Fairview, Quezon City.
The Doves came into the game tied with DOMC with two wins each.
SFAC led, 23-20, after the first quarter but padded it to 42-30 at the half and 59-47 after the third.
Diliman Computer and Technology Institute, meantime, clobbered winless Philippine State College of Aeronautics, 74-50, for its third win in four games.
In the lone juniors match, St. Francis picked up its second consecutive win, edging Philippine Christian University, 92-86.
Action resumes on Jan. 11 at San Andres Sports Complex in Manila with NCBA battling PCU at 9 a.m. and AMA Computer University taking on St. Francis at 10:30. In collegiate clashes, Philsca faces Amacu at 12 noon and NCBA tests DCTI at 1:30 p.m.